PM asks Senate chairman to take ‘oath of honesty’

F.P. Report

DERA GHAZI KHAN: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Saturday said the people had to stand up against the way the Senate election was held and vote for the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) in the next general election to rid the country of corrupt practices.

Addressing a gathering here after performing the groundbreaking of the Northern Bypass and Rakh Gajj – Bewata Section, he reiterated his strong reservations about the recent holding of the Senate election and its chairman.

The prime minister said he would get an endorsement of his views from the people and asked them whether those who had become members of Senate on basis of their wealth, were acceptable? The people shouted “No”.

He again questioned whether the same criterion should be adopted for the Senate chairman and the people again shouted “No”.

He said the PML-N did not pay even a single penny for that purchase to any member in the Senate election. He said he would go an extra mile to put an end to this corrupt practice.

He said the newly elected Senators and their political parties needed to give a written oath that neither they were paid or they paid someone else to purchase a vote.

Abbasi said today the nation had to resolve and pledge that they would put an end to this heinous practice, otherwise he warned such corrupt lot would continue to hold a sway over everything.

He said the people of Pakistan needed to decide whether they were willing to see the sale and purchase of conscience of their elected representatives for a single Senate seat or to reject that lot in the next general election. He said the Senate chairman should have the courage to admit that money was somehow paid to get the coveted seat. He said it was unfortunate that those who serve the people, were being removed through litigation and legal cases. He said that the mode needed to end as it was not sustainable and was eventually damaging the country.

He said his party had full respect for the courts. However, he said it was the right of the people of the country to take political decisions. He said it was the right of the people to take such decisions and added those proved to be always correct.

He said there could be criticism on the legal decisions but those taken by the people could not be criticised as those eventually reflect the their will.

He said the nation could only progress, if democracy and political systems were strong in the country. He said the people of Pakistan opted for Asif Ali Zardari in 2008 and everyone knew, what he did to this country. In 2013, the people sent him packing and opted Nawaz Sharif.

He asked the people to take a look around and see the economic progress, the network of roads and motorways, the projects for power generation, and the end of gas load-shedding were a proof who were sincere with the country. He said the people today were the witness to the positive changes brought in by Nawaz Sharif and now it was upto the people to choose wisely. He asked the people to rise above petty differences, stand united and vote for the only party that had practically shown that it was serious in serving the masses and was working for the progress of the country. He said the PML-N had always pursued a politics of decency. “People throw stones on us, yet we return flowers. We have never been abusive and used only polite language.” He said the conscientious people of Pakistan would definitely react to the way Nawaz Sharif was removed and would cast their votes in his favor in the forthcoming general election.