Would like to see someone from Balochistan as Senate chairman: Imran

Imran alleges that up to Rs40 million have been given for a single vote in the Senate elections

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that the party will work towards making sure the Senate chairman is not from the ruling party and would like to see the Upper House helmed by someone from Balochistan.

Speaking to media in Peshawar, the PTI chief said his party will try their hardest that the Senate chairman is not from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), as for the past one and a half year, the party's only aim has been to save the "corrupt Sharif family."



Stating that the party will be having a meeting tomorrow to discuss whose name they want to give as Senate chairman, Imran added it would be good to see someone from Balochistan as the chairman.

Talking about alleged horse-trading in the Senate elections, the PTI chief said that the current system of secret ballots promotes the buying and selling of votes.

"For years, votes are being sold and we all know they are being sold. Democracy and Senate is being discredited," he added.

Saying PTI has asked for reforms to put an end to horse-trading, Imran alleged that up to Rs40 million have been given for a single vote.

"We know who gave the money, but we don't know who took it. This is what secret ballots do, it promotes corruption. They [lawmakers] make money without being caught."

Imran further said that inquiry would be held within PTI to investigate who took money from within the party.

On Tuesday, speaking to The Express Tribune, PTI lawmakers privy to the development revealed that the party was aware of the names but had agreed on keeping them confidential until the inquiry into ‘horse-trading’ was completed. They added that those found guilty will face disciplinary actions.



Turning the issue to women, the PTI chief stated that he wants women to give input on the issues the party should be raising and talking about.

He further stated women participation is lesser in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa when compared to other provinces and that the party would be working on different campaigns to work towards increasing female voter participation.