PM Shehbaz sees Punjab election as 'conspiracy against country'
Pakistan
Najam Saqib's audio leaks leave no doubt about Saqib Nisar's motives: PM
LONDON (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday holding election in Punjab on May 14 was akin to conspiring against the country.
His statement comes as the Supreme Court's deadline to hold Punjab election on May 14 draws nearer.
Talking to the media, he said everyone should note that the impression created about Punjab over the last year had now been vanished. “Punjab is not a big brother but all provinces are equal,” he added.
He went on to say that the parliament would protect its constitutional authority. “Ex-CJP Saqib Nisar played a key role in getting former premier Nawaz Sharif disqualified, and he used to invoke suo motu notices day and night,” he added.
He had been working as PTI agent with only one main agenda to defeat Nawaz Sharif, the PM said.
Answering a question on the alleged audio leaks of Mr Nisar’s son Najam Saqib, he asked if there was any doubt now in the point that he wanted Imran back in power and destroy Pakistan. “The parliament has taken up the matter and sought an answer from them,” he added.
Earlier, alleged audio leaks of Najam Saqib with his accomplice Mian Uzair regarding the trade of PTI ticket had made waves on the social media. In the first audio talk, Mr Najam could be allegedly heard talking to Abuzar Chaddar, PTI candidate from PP-137, wherein he was instructing Mr Chaddar to call on his father Mr Nisar after getting the PTI ticket. In the other audio, he had purportedly been heard demanding a cut for the ticket.
Later, National Assembly Speaker Raja Parvez Ashraf constituted a committee for investigation into the audio leaks.
Election in Punjab became a battleground between the PDM-led government and the PTI as the former wanted simultaneous elections across the country upon completion of the ongoing term of the National Assembly while the latter had been stressing the government to hold election as per the SC's orders. Both stakeholders also held talks to negotiate date for elections but to no avail.
It prompted the PTI to move the apex court to hold elections in Punjab on May 14 while submitting a report on the negotiations held between the PTI and the PDM-led government on elections. The court, in response, maintained its verdict to hold election on time and clarified that it had neither instructed nor ordered anyone to hold negotiations. Later, the ECP also announced to honor the court's decision.
Addressing a pro-CJP rally earlier, PTI chief Imran Khan vowed to stay on streets from next week till May 14, and to not take rest until elections were held. He also chastised PM Shehbaz for conducting foreign tours amid the country's woes.
