‘Intra-party polls will improve transparency’

Sarwar says he and all the district organisers will resign before elections

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Punjab organiser Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said on Tuesday that despite some opposition within the party the decision to hold intra-party election had been taken to uphold democracy and to ensure transparency in party affairs.

Addressing a press conference at the residence of PTI Lahore women-wing organiser Rubina Jamil, he said the party was taking a huge risk in holding intra-party elections. He said it should be ensured that the exercise was undertaken in a transparent manner.

Sarwar said as soon as a date was announced for the pre-election membership drive he and all district organisers in the province would relinquish their posts to ensure transparency.

Referring to a seven-member committee formed by PTI chief Imran Khan to oversee intra-party elections, he said all important decisions related to the party were taken after comprehensive deliberations. The intra party elections will give party workers an opportunity to pick their leaders, he said.

Sarwar said the committee would also consult the party’s election commission on the matter.

Regarding the outcome of local government elections, he said the party could not win a lot of seats but it was successful in increasing its vote bank across the province. “The ruling party candidates are in a favourable position in local government elections. The performance of our candidates is commendable,” he said. However, he said the party would look into any mistakes made in the allotment of tickets or in the campaign. He said allotment of tickets for the next general elections would be on merit alone.

Sarwar said there was no possibility of good governance during the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s rule.  “Those who cannot even ensure affordable healthcare for the people cannot claim any legitimacy for governing the country,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th,  2015.