Vote bar on any party ‘may dispute polls’
The Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) has issued a stern warning, stating that the international community will not accept the results of the upcoming elections if any political party is unjustly excluded from the electoral process.
The party is demanding an immediate end to favoritism and discrimination within the electoral process and is urging the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure transparent and fair elections across the country.
PPP leader Rana Farooq Saeed strongly criticized the PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, and those who, he said, exert influence from behind the scenes.
Without naming anyone directly, Saeed pointed out the preferential treatment given to Nawaz Sharif and implored those in power to uphold the dignity of Pakistan by providing an equal playing field for all political parties and conducting impartial elections.
Saeed emphasized that the CEC and caretaker government officials should enhance their image by dispelling the perception that they are favoring a particular party.
He stressed that barring any political party from participating in the upcoming elections would not be in the best interest of the country. He suggested that those responsible for the May 9 incident should be punished according to the law, but there should be no ban on their party or its members.
Saeed advocated for allowing all political parties to participate in the upcoming elections, asserting that banning a party would only lead to its reemergence under a different name.
Furthermore, he called on the CEC to promptly halt all development projects initiated in the run-up to the general elections, as such projects could be perceived as pre-election manipulation.
Saeed highlighted that substantial investments are being made in laying gas pipelines while the country struggles with a gas shortage for consumers.
Saeed also criticized former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, noting that Nawaz Sharif has placed his economic hopes in Dar's hands. However, he concluded that the country's progress is hindered as long as Dar remains in the picture.