Against horse-trading

This refers to the news report ‘ECP to seek spooks support to expose horse-traders’ (Mar 15). A laudable effort by the ECP, it will win the appreciation of all the voters who wish to elect genuine and true parliamentarians. Ever since the Senate elections have concluded, political parties have been accusing politicians of getting involved in horse-trading. Whether or not we like it, this started from the changes in the Balochistan government. At present, the entire allegations episode will serve as a test for the PTI leadership, which is a staunch opponent of corruption, to come out and expose those members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, who have sold their conscience. However, keeping in view the U-turns of the PTI leadership and the compromises it had made in the past, it will be safe to assume that the PTI will not take any action to expose the people who sold their votes.

On the other hand, the PPP leadership also didn’t come out clean both in the Senate elections and in the polling for the top two slots – Chairman and Deputy Chairman – in the Senate. The arguments presented by some PPP members to justify their choice for the Senate chairman were ludicrous to say the least. What Zardari did to Raza Rabbani was embarrassing and humiliating and should be condemned by all segments of society. It seems that instead of promoting democracy and democratic institutions in the country, the PPP leadership is working on a completely different agenda. All hopes are pinned on the ECP to take all necessary measures to expose politicians who were involved in the buying and selling of votes.

Dr Zafar I Qureshi ( Lahore )