Ishaq Dar claims PML-N never given level playing field
Pakistan
The PML-N was not given level playing field in 2002, 2008 and 2018. The party returned in 2013
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Former finance minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Friday claimed that they (the PML-N) were never given level playing field.
Talking on the floor of Senate, he said the constitution enunciated that general elections should be held within 90 days [after dissolution of assemblies]. "We also want that, but one must keep other provisions of the constitution [while calling for elections] in mind".
Dar claimed that the PML-N was not given level playing field in 2002, 2008 and 2018 [elections]. The party returned in 2013. Everybody must be given level playing field. And then accept the results.
He said the population census was approved on Aug 2. The Election Commission has to demarcate constituencies after finalisation of census report. In such circumstances, the election in 90 days [without demarcation] was unconstitutional, he added.
The former finance minister said that initially Rs5 billion were allocated for holding elections in the budget. However, the commission required Rs54 billion. The government decided to allocate Rs46 billion for elections and while an additional Rs16 billion were required for the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he maintained.
“The National Assembly adopted a resolution and I had no choice but to allocate for the commission. There was pressure from the judiciary, parliament and the cabinet. And I made all arrangements for release of funds to the commission before dissolution of assembly,” Dar concluded.
