ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan said on Monday that Premier Imran Khan and his coalition partners believed in supremacy of the Constitution and rule of law, while Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly, Shahbaz Sharif, wanted to deprive overseas Pakistanis of their right to vote.
Addressing a joint press conference with Minister of State on Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib, the adviser asked the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president to focus on supremacy of parliament for legislation and respect its sanctity. “Casting vote is a fundamental right of Pakistanis residing anywhere in the world and the government will do utmost to make them part of electoral process,” he said, adding: “Constitution gives overseas Pakistanis right to vote and the present government is committed to facilitating them while the opposition is still trying to keep them away from voting.”
Awan alleged the opposition leader had denied supremacy of Parliament, while the government desired to carry forward all matters through legislation. He added the electoral and judicial reforms were top priority of the government.
The PM’s aide said the government had always shown seriousness over bringing transparency in election through using electronic voting machine (EVM) but it was quite unfortunate that the opposition parties—which wanted status quo to persist—were not in favour of transparent system.
Awan said the opposition parties should not make mockery of the Constitution and avoid disrespecting the sacred document, and questioned how Shahbaz can deprive 10 million Pakistani expatriates from their right to vote.
Replying a query, Awan said PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif must surrender himself before law as he had been convicted. “He is an absconder and on return to Pakistan will face jail.” Answering another question, he said parliamentary leaders would be briefed on the situation on borders during this week in the wake of prevailing circumstances in Afghanistan.