Punjab CM poll: PML-N refutes PTI's allegations of bribing MPAs

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Wednesday refuted the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) allegation of bribing its MPAs in a bid to win the election of leader of the house, scheduled for July 22.

“Today Lahore is seeing a repeat of the Sindh House horse-trading that happened in Islamabad with up to Rs50 crores being offered to buy MPAs,” former prime minister and PTI chairman Imran Khan wrote on his official Twitter handle.

Meanwhile, former information minister and PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, while addressing a press conference in Islamabad today, has said that each PTI MPA is being offered Rs350 million to change their loyalties.

Read more: 'Sindh House 2.0’: PTI accuses ruling coalition of buying MPAs for Punjab CM poll

"Asif Ali Zardari is offering this money. He has set up a marketplace for buying and purchasing MPAs. Where do you want to take this country? We demand that Atta Tarar, Zardari and Rana Sanaullah should be put in prison," he added.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Punjab Interior Minister Attaullah Tarar, while refuting the allegations, said that PTI MPA Chaudhry Masood had given resignation on April 3, 2022. "He was not happy with the party's politics. He said in his resignation that there is no justice in PTI," he added.

"I swear by Qur'an no money was given to Masood but I ask Fawad Chaudhry to do the same if he thinks otherwise. We never said [PML-N MPA Jalil Ahmed] Sharaqpuri gave resignation after being bribed."

He said that PML-N was still in contact with Sharaqpuri and the party will take him back if he approaches.

Tarar said that the difference between both parties in Punjab was just seven MPAs, hinting that more lawmakers might be on the way back.

The PML-N leader said that many of PML-N members have been offered bribes, adding that one member was offered the Hajj pilgrimage.

Taking a jibe at Fawad Chaudhry, he said that he was not the one who has been changing loyalties over petty issues, adding that he started his politics with PML-N and will end it with it.

"Whoever he (Fawad) is today is because of PPP. He should not be saying bad things about [PPP co-chairman] Zardari. He should not forget his mentors in that party," he added.

Tarar said that PTI has built a fake narrative about a ‘foreign conspiracy’ in Pakistan, adding that it has not yet cleared to whom the party chief said "absolutely not".

"Imran Khan used party funds for his personal use. He should've refused money from Jews and the US and said 'absolutely not' at that time as well," he said and asked Imran to name the conspirators.

To a question about PTI approaching Supreme Court, PML-N leader said that if the court calls them, they will also tell how PML-Q's Moonis Elahi offered money to their MPAs.

Talking about the upcoming election for Punjab chief minister, Tarar said that surprises can come as they were ‘not unusual’ in politics.