- Barrister Gohar questions connection between amends to Pakistan’s criminal law, IMF
- Qaiser claims ECP’s next task is to allocate 20 more seats to PML-N from Punjab
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) alleged on Friday that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja was ‘wooed’ with promises of ambassadorship in return for favours by the incumbent government.
Speaking to the media alongside PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and former speaker National Assembly (NA) Asad Qaiser, Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan claimed that CEC was promised future posting as the country’s envoy to Canada in “exchange for cooperation.”
The PTI leader also accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of betraying the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). Citing the Federal Minister of Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar’s statement about upcoming criminal law amendments in the National Assembly, he said the amendments were connected to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation’s visit, questioning the connection between undisclosed criminal law changes with the IMF visit.
“What is the connection between Pakistan’s criminal law and the IMF,” he asked.
Gohar, seconding Ayub’s arguments, emphasised the significance of legislation being within the prerogative of the parliament. He also criticised the commencement of legislative proceedings without proper adherence to legal protocols. “Today, the first day of legislation has been initiated by breaking the law,” Gohar regretted.
“First inform the members about the law you wish to change,” maintained Gohar while highlighting the importance of notifying members about proposed legal changes. He deemed that the approach through which current bills will be passed is ‘unconstitutional’.
Meanwhile, Qaiser alleged that individuals aspiring to become lawmakers are expected to provide financial contributions to the Election Commission Pakistan (ECP). He denounced the current composition of the house as non-elected and accused authorities of flagrantly violating the law.
“Their [ECP’s] next task is to allocate 20 more seats to PML-N,” claimed Qaiser. “They [ECP] also want to give seats to PML-N from Punjab,” he added.
“We will resist, it is a long battle,” said Qaiser as he declared PTI’s intentions of holding protests and refusing to back down after its mandate was “stolen”.
Earlier, Pervez Elahi had also announced PTI’s intention to stage nationwide protests until its perceived mandate is restored, hinting at a potential coalition among opposition parties against alleged election irregularities.
These remarks were made during Elahi’s appearance at the FIA Court in Lahore, where he addressed journalists.
