The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) after losing the race to appoint their favoured candidates to the top Senate has started a new round allegations against Mir Mohammad Sadiq Sanjrani, the recently elected Chairman Senate. The allegations and taunts against Sanjrani have primarily come from none other than Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
The Prime Minister, at recent gatherings in Nankana Sahib and Lahore expressed his concerns over the election of the Senate chairman and said there was a need to elect a consensus chairman of the upper house of parliament, as it reflected the federation. While claiming that the PML-N had always defended democratic norms, the Prime Minister had leveled the allegations of horse-trading in the Senate elections, claiming that votes were purchased. The allegations leveled by the Prime Minister were widely condemned. The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has sought an apology from Prime Minister whereas the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Pakistan Peoples Party’s Syed Khursheed Shah, also condemned the Prime Minister’s attitude and termed it insulting to parliament. Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo went one step ahead and the Prime Minister that he and his allies would march towards Islamabad if he does not retract his remarks regarding the election of Senate Chairman.
Despite the condemnations, the Prime Minister for now is sticking to his claims. On Saturday, the Prime Minister once again reiterated allegations of horse-trading against his party’s rivals during the election, saying that the party would not tolerate purchase of votes. Speaking in Dera Ghazi Khan, he asked the gathering whether they accepted members of the Senate on basis of wealth and demanded that the newly-elected Senators and their political parties give a written oath that they did not purchase the votes. The Prime Minister said that the Senate chairman should have the courage to admit that money was somehow paid to get the coveted seat.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) have now decided to table privilege motions against the prime minister for his statements against the Senate Chairman.
The continuous allegations against the Senate Chairman by the Prime Minister are in bad taste. On one hand the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz led by its Quaid has launched a “give respect to the vote” whereas on the other hand the Prime Minister is leveling allegations against the Senate Chairman who has been elected by the votes of Senators. If the Prime Minister has any proof of wrong doing or horse trading in Senate election he should present it in front of the public and the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The PMLN wants vote of people to be respected but is disrespecting vote of Senators.
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