Poor to suffer if political chaos continues: Rashid

AML chief says people may take to the streets on their own

RAWALPINDI:

Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said that the conditions of the poor segments will get worse if the political tussle continues in the country.

In a tweet, the former interior minister said that an example of relations with Israel and trade with India has come to light in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's leaked audio. He pointed out that the Sharif family is hiring engineers from India for its sugar mills without clearance.

He said that instead of understanding the problems of the common man, the politicians are only playing on the media.

Looking at the demands of the situation, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is also going on an election campaign, he added. He predicted that September would be an embarrassing month for them.

The AML chief said that the economic conditions are so dire that even if no party gives the call, the people will be on the streets. There is hunger and poverty in people's homes, he added.

The former interior minister stressed that the need of the hour is to leave aside ego and obstinacy and to make an immediate decision to go for clean and transparent elections.

He further said that important decisions are expected in October.

The former ruling party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its allies have been pushing for early elections ever since they were ousted from power through a vote of no-confidence.

The worsening economic situation has given the opposition's calls for early polls much-needed traction, and the demands are now louder than ever.

Former prime minister Imran Khan and his party workers have been reiterating their demands with full force lately, suggesting that economic and political stability can only be achieved if the country heads to polls early.