Leader of the Opposition in Senate and Pakistan People’s Party leader Sherry Rehman Thursday alleged that members of hey party were being forced to switch loyalties ahead of the July 25 general elections, a private TV channel reported.
Addressing media after meeting with chief election commissioner, Sherry claimed that PPP was being barred from electioneering. “Holding free and fair elections is difficult … the interim government will have to provide more security after suicide attack in Peshawar this week which killed 21 people,” she said. “The PPP has already rendered many sacrifices … security lapse is the biggest concern right now,” she stated.
“PPP doesn’t support any kind of delay in general elections. Even our election caravan was stopped at Uch Sharif. Who would have taken the responsibility for any mishap then?” she questioned.
Earlier, PPP asked the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to ensure non-discriminatory coverage to election campaigns and press conferences of all the political parties. In a letter to PEMRA chairman, PPP Secretary General and former Senate chairman Nayyar Bukhari said that a press conference was held at Bilawal House in Lahore on Tuesday evening. It was addressed by the PPP’s senior leadership but not a single TV channel covered it although representatives of all private channels were present there. On the other hand, he regretted, even spokespersons for other parties were being given live coverage. Citing a July 2 ECP notification regarding the code of conduct for the media for elections, he said its clause b(ii) stated that “all media houses should also follow professional standard and strive for accuracy, balance and impartiality”.
Published in Daily Times, July 13th 2018.
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