Unity Among Political Parties Imperative To Foil Attempts Of Horse Trading In Senate Election

Terming horse-trading a political 'cancer' for democracy, politicians Monday said unity among political forces having representation in the parliament was imperative to foil designs of elements who were trying to reach the Senate through unfair means.

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Feb, 2018 ) :Terming horse-trading a political 'cancer' for democracy, politicians Monday said unity among political forces having representation in the parliament was imperative to foil designs of elements who were trying to reach the Senate through unfair means.

It was the responsibility of parliamentary leaders and heads of political parties to chalk out a joint strategy for the purpose, they added. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentary leader in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Sardar Aurangzaib Nalota, while talknig to APP, said political horse-trading ahead of the Senate elections was against the constitutional rule as it would negatively impact democratic and legislation process in the country and joint efforts were needed to curb the practice.

The PML-N leader said free, fair and transparent Senate elections would further make the country stable as the people's problems could be addressed only through a strong parliament. He said the parliament was a supreme constitutional institution, which had a momentous role in the supremacy of democracy, ensuring good governance, legislation and maintaining close check on working of the government institutions of significance importance.

The Parliament of Pakistan was bicameral consisting of the Senate and National Assembly and the offices of President, Prime Minister, Chairman Senate and Speaker National Assembly enjoy high prestige, powers and its respect which was as important as like any other state institutions of the country.

MPA Saleh Muhammad Khan told APP that political horse trading was very dangerous for democratic setup. He said only senators with highest moral integrity and honesty, who strongly believed in supremacy of democracy and constitution can deliver for safeguarding people's rights.

"I ask how candidates elected for the upper house on basis of horse trading and sale and purchase of votes would serve their countrymen and raise voice for their rights and public issues in Senate," he questioned.

He said priorities of such elected candidates would be to get their money doubled as they spent on purchase of votes and would make nothing for people's welfare except to enjoy perks and privileges for their own benefits.

The PML-N leader called for 'Jihad' against horse trading in politics and underscored the need for joint efforts by all the stakeholders to strongly resist and shaming those trying to win Senate seats by using their money.

It was very astonishing that how a party or an individual with no MPA, could become a senator, saying there are political parties with no MPA in provincial assemblies have also fielded their candidates to get representation in the Upper House through horse trading and venality practice.

He said political parties and parliamentarians believed in supremacy of constitution would strongly reject all such negative elements as this was not in the interest of the country viz a viz democracy.

In presence of independent judiciary, free media and sovereign parliament, he said faces of all such negative elements would stand exposed before masses and horse trading in senate election would not be allowed.

Saleh Muhammad suggested elections in Senate on the basis of 'Show of hands' to avoid horse trading and upholding sanctity of votes. JUI-F Spokesman, Jalil Jan said horse trading in Senate election was very lethal for democracy and his party would continue struggle against this political menace.

The candidates with billions of rupees assets were fielded by different political parties by leaving the committed workers, in a bid to get maximum representation in Senate, he remarked. Jalil Jan said the method of representations like of the National Assembly for women reserved seats should be adopted for Senate election in order to discourage horse trading in politics.

Former PPP President KP and ex senior Provincial Minister, Rahimdad Khan and ANP leader Wajid Ali Khan said horse trading was very harmful for democracy and urged all the parliamentary leaders to sit together ahead of Senate Election by chalking out a comprehensive strategy to prevent sale and purchase of votes.

He said only upright and committed candidates elected on merit would discharge their functions in the interest of people and will protect interest of masses and respective provinces in the Upper House of Pakistan.

They called upon the elected representatives to use their votes wisely so that upright candidates could reach to Upper House and play part in the legislation process for the benefits of people and Pakistan.