Fair elections: PTI calls APC on NA-122 ‘rigging’

LAHORE:

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) provincial organiser Chaudhry Sarwar has called an all-parties conference (APC) on October 22 to develop a strategy regarding its allegation of changes in voter lists during the NA-122 by-polls.

Several opposition parties, including the Jamaat-i-Islami, the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek have been invited to the APC.

Sarwar said the PTI had called the meeting to share the findings of its team with regard to changes in the lists. The participating parties would then announce their future strategy, he said.

Later, speaking at a corner meeting in Allama Iqbal Town, Sarwar said the PTI had launched a campaign to reach out to people ahead of local government elections. Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, PTI Punjab deputy organiser Umer Sarfraz Cheema and Lahore organiser Shafqat Mahmood were also present.

Sarwar said it appeared that the government was reluctant to devolve power to the grassroots level. “They promised to overcome load shedding in six months but after two and a half years people are still suffering.”

Rasheed accused government leaders of soliciting commissions for awarding public projects. “This is why they focus on development of infrastructure,” he said.

Mahmood urged PTI workers to participate in the party’s election campaign. He said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz was trying to rig the elections.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 20^th, 2015.