ANP seeks electoral reforms ahead of general elections

PESHAWAR: Calling for electoral reforms, Awami National Party (ANP) acting president Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on Wednesday asked the government to take the opposition into confidence on the issue.

“Prime Minister Imran Khan should approach Shahbaz Sharif, the leader of opposition in the National Assembly, and other opposition leaders to ensure the holding of the free and fair election,” he said while addressing a gathering in Peshawar.

The election reforms should not be confined to the introduction of an electronic device or machine, he said, adding, the Election Commission of Pakistan should be made independent to check rigging. Haider Hoti said the recent election in Azad Jammu and Kashmir had caused concern among the members of the opposition about the fairness of the next general election. “The rulers jeopardised the economy by accepting all conditions of the International Monetary Fund. There is a chaos-like situation in the country due to unprecedented price-hike,” he added.

He said the opposition parties had already predicted high prices of petroleum products and other essential items during the budget session but the government had declared it a people-friendly budget.

He also criticised the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for not taking notice of corruption and irregularities in mega projects like Malam Jabba, Billion Tree Tsunami, and Bus Rapid Transit in KP.