PTI, PMLN on one page against horse-trading

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister and senior member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), Senator Ishaq Dar and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) agreed on Thursday that horse-trading needs to be eradicated from Pakistan’s political culture.

The federal finance minister led a PMLN delegation to meet with the PTI leader and extended an invitation to a parliamentary leaders meeting at the prime minister house on Friday.

Speaking to the media after their meeting, both leaders stressed that the phenomenon of horse-trading must be eradicated from Pakistani politics. Tareen said that the senate elections were discussed in detail and welcomed the ruling PMLN recommendation, that senate elections should not be held via a secret ballot.

Tareen added that horse-trading is a stain on Pakistani politicians and in order to rid the country of horse-trading; politicians selling their electoral vote should be punished.

Responding to questions regarding a long standing deadlock between the ruling party and the PTI over electoral reforms and the formation of a judicial commission to investigate rigging in the general elections, Senator Dar told journalists that majority of the differences have been addressed and if both parties show some flexibility the judicial commission can be formed.

Responding to the invitation for Friday’s parliamentary leaders meeting, Tareen said, he will consult with the party high command before giving a response.