After Senate polls most of the political parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf criticized practice of alleged horse trading in the elections.
According to reports, at least 17 PTI lawmakers in KPK allegedly sold their votes during the Senate election, enabling two PPP candidates to be elected from the province where the PPP only has seven MPAs. As Imran Khan questioned the victory of two PPP candidates in KP, the PPP put the same question to the PTI with respect to the victory of its lone candidate in Punjab, Chaudhry Sarwar.
After the Senate polls chairman of PTI Imran Khan pledged to take action against MPAs of his party who have sold their votes. At that time it seemed mere a political statement, but on Tuesday he revealed the names of lawmakers who sold votes during the Senate elections and announced to expel them from the party. Imran said that a charge sheet will be issued to the lawmakers to seek an explanation of their actions and their names will also be sent to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). PTI head further said that an investigating committee of his party would also provide proofs to NAB on how these lawmakers were bribed.
Some opponents of PTI raising questions that Chaudhary Sarwar of PTI also became senator using the same tactics but party seems pleased with that development and no question is being raised. But most of the political pundits are admiring the brave stance of PTI chief to take action against elected members of the party for selling their votes. It is indeed a bold move considering the fact that next general elections are just couple of months away. PTI has set the example for other political parties to take action in ousting the corrupt members.
More or less all the political parties raised allegations of practice of horse trading in the Senate elections, but only PTI took action against alleged rigging and use of money to buy the votes. It is unfortunate that every Senate election is marred by claims of horse trading and allegations of buying the seats, but nothing substantial has been done to stop this undemocratic practice.
