ISLAMABAD: Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan (CECP) Justice (r) Sardar Raza Khan said on Wednesday that sadly members of the parliament were trading votes.
In a hearing of the suo moto notice case on the horse-trading in the March 3 Senate elections by the five-member panel of the Election commission of Pakistan (ECP), Sardar Raza said that horse-trading was a crime and political parties should assist ECP in this regard.
Eight parliamentarians have been summoned by the ECP today to assist it in the case.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Farooq Sattar had sent their counsels whereas State Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb appeared in person today.
PTI chief’s counsel Shahid Gondal informed the ECP that the party had formed a committee to investigate reports of horse-trading and will present a final report in this regard when the inquiry is complete. Later, talking to the media, Gondal said the party will ensure complete assistance with the ECP in this regard.
Moreover, the MQM-P and other party leaders submitted requests to the ECP seeking an inquiry into reports of horse-trading in the Sindh Assembly.
The next hearing of the case will be held on April 4, when the ECP has summoned party leaders and lawmakers to assist it in the case.
On March 3, 52 senators were elected to the Upper House of Parliament, with the majority backed by the ruling party — Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
On March 12, however, the opposition managed to get its chairman and deputy chairman elected in the Senate.
