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ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has termed a call by PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif for holding All Parties Conference (APC) on electoral reforms as absolutely ridiculous.
In a statement, the minister said Shehbaz Sharif bypassed parliament over the issue of electoral reforms and due legislation. “Those who are habitual of election rigging, how can they give suggestions over the holding of fair and transparent elections,” he questioned.
The minister said after the failure of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), Shehbaz Sharif has coined a new story. He also questioned the participation of those attending the APC, who turned their back in PDM and levelled allegations during by-elections.
Fawad said the so-called claimants of the supremacy of parliament were trampling its sanctity. He said such legislation was carried out inside the parliament, adding that the opposition leader was becoming a part and parcel of the agenda to weaken parliament which was highly regrettable.
The information minister further said a failed opposition was now out trying in vain to cover up their abysmal failures but would not get much public attention. “The people have found out their reality and true worth, as now the public is fully conscious and cannot be fooled anymore,” he added.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif has decided to call a multi-party conference of the opposition parties on electoral reforms and to discuss the Election Amendment Bill introduced by the government.
He held telephonic consultations with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Both endorsed the idea and extended support to opposition leader.
Shehbaz said the aim of the APC was to formulate a joint stance of the opposition on electoral reforms, as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had expressed reservations on the bill passed by the National Assembly.
He said all opposition political parties would be invited to the APC along with arious organisations and institutions monitoring the elections.
He said consultations among political parties on electoral reforms for holding free, fair and transparent elections were need of the hour.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto said the APC is an opportunity to build national consensus on holding of transparent, fair, and free elections. Maulana Fazlur Rehman also supported the suggestion.
