LAHORE: The upcoming general election will remain controversial if ousted premier Imran Khan is not allowed to participate in the polls, said senior lawyer and former Pakistan Peoples Party leader Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan on Tuesday.
There should be a true level-playing field in the upcoming general elections, he said, speaking to the media outside the Lahore High Court (LHC), objecting to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz’s demand for party supremo Nawaz’s acquittal.
He asked why Imran Khan cannot move freely when thrice ousted former premier Nawaz could do so despite being a convict.
Nawaz cannot be made prime minister for the fourth time unless such an amendment is passed by an elected parliament, he said.
The former PPP leader also called for a comprehensive policy on Afghan refugees expressing concern that the current situation may lead to anarchy.
Maryam was earlier reported as saying that the PML-N would move towards elections after Nawaz is acquitted from all cases and Imran is imprisoned and punished.
“There will be no doubt over the controversy of this election if Imran is not given the opportunity to participate in it,” said Ahsan.
“Perhaps the PML-N considers the ongoing circumstances as a level-playing field for elections but it is not in the eyes of the voters,” he opined.
If the PML-N continues to restrain the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) it will only strengthen Imran’s politics, said the PPP leader.
He cited fears of PTI supporters rendering their votes to waste by incorrectly marking the ballot paper if the Imran’s party is deprived of its bat symbol.
In response to a query, he accused the Islamabad High Court of favouring the PML-N. Being a proclaimed offender, Nawaz had lost the right to an audience but he was welcomed at the airport, opined Ahsan.
He asserted that providing protocol to a convict was an offence.
Nawaz cannot be made prime minister for the fourth time unless such an amendment is passed by an elected parliament, he said.
