‘Ploy against PTI’: Imran Khan terms 20th Amendment a ‘fraud’
PML-N rejects allegations, says Imran should read it first.
ISLAMABAD:
Railing against the ruling coalition and main opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Tuesday that the 20th Amendment was stacked up against his party which is “becoming a real electoral threat to both”.
“The 20th Amendment was passed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to strengthen their hold on power and to prevent the PTI from sweeping the next general elections,” Imran said.
Strongly rejecting the constitutional amendment, Imran said the PML-N continues to support the wrongdoings of the government in order to have a stake, with the PPP, in the incumbent ‘corrupt power structures’.
Terming it a ‘fraud,’ Imran said the amendment condones elections carried out against constitutional provisions.
He alleged that Rs366 million was released in five hours for senators, simply to get the 20th Amendment through the upper house.
Imran also criticised the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)’s right to choose a caretaker prime minister and chief ministers.
“If the ECP appoints a caretaker government, it will divest itself from performing the task of ensuring free, fair and transparent elections,” he said.
‘Read it first’
The PML-N rejected Imran’s allegations, saying that the statements made by the PTI chief shows their lack of knowledge regarding the amendment.
“The PTI should respect Parliament’s decision by following democratic norms,” said PML-N leader Senator Mushahidullah Khan. “Imran Khan should read the content of the 20th Amendment and then issue such a statement,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2012.
Railing against the ruling coalition and main opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Tuesday that the 20th Amendment was stacked up against his party which is “becoming a real electoral threat to both”.
“The 20th Amendment was passed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to strengthen their hold on power and to prevent the PTI from sweeping the next general elections,” Imran said.
Strongly rejecting the constitutional amendment, Imran said the PML-N continues to support the wrongdoings of the government in order to have a stake, with the PPP, in the incumbent ‘corrupt power structures’.
Terming it a ‘fraud,’ Imran said the amendment condones elections carried out against constitutional provisions.
He alleged that Rs366 million was released in five hours for senators, simply to get the 20th Amendment through the upper house.
Imran also criticised the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)’s right to choose a caretaker prime minister and chief ministers.
“If the ECP appoints a caretaker government, it will divest itself from performing the task of ensuring free, fair and transparent elections,” he said.
‘Read it first’
The PML-N rejected Imran’s allegations, saying that the statements made by the PTI chief shows their lack of knowledge regarding the amendment.
“The PTI should respect Parliament’s decision by following democratic norms,” said PML-N leader Senator Mushahidullah Khan. “Imran Khan should read the content of the 20th Amendment and then issue such a statement,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2012.