Sattar questions duplicity over show of weapons during Punjab by-polls

Questions religio-politico leaders who have cried hoarse calling for door-to-door searches, army operation in Karachi.

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement deputy convener Farooq Sattar on Saturday raised questions on the display of weapons and alleged use of force during the recent by-polls in Punjab, Express News reported.

Speaking at a public gathering in Karachi, Sattar said that religious and political leaders have been crying hoarse over the prevalence of weapons in Karachi, calling for door-to-door searches and an army operation. “I want to ask that what about all the display of weapons in the Punjab by-polls just before the general elections.”

“In Punjab, there are preparations underfoot to make Punjab a battlefield to save themselves by putting Pakistan on the line.”

The senator said that there was a duality by these very religious and political leaders when it came to the show of weapons during the by-elections in Punjab.

“The authorities and the incumbent government must take notice of show and use of weapons,” he said before adding that lest it be confused that he was the one raising an issue over this, the parties contesting those by-elections, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf were the ones who have come out in press conferences and have said that the elections in Punjab were "hijacked".

“I ask, when this has happened in by-polls, what will happen in the general elections? How state machinery was utilised, how voters were harassed and how force and power was used,” he said.

“The entire nation needs to ask these religious and political leaders why their duplicity. Why is there no similar call for door-to-door searches and army operation against weapons in Punjab?” Sattar asked before adding that, “those firing those weapons were political party workers. Why is it not being asked which political party's militant wing is this?”

He also questioned that since the Supreme Court took up a suo motu notice over the violence in Karachi, why was it not taking notice over the blatant display of weapons during elections and political rallies in Punjab and gross violations of Election Commission’s code of conduct.