Imran’s party accuses Opp. of horse- trading

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The Pakistan Tehreek- eInsaf ( PTI) on Tuesday accused Opposition of trying to lure some of its lawmakers away by making “lucrative offers” for their votes in the election for the posts of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.

PTI leaders are worried mainly because of two reasons — the secret balloting and slim majority it holds over the combined Opposition’s total strength.

PTI’s vice- chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi warned that “it will be unfortunate if the voting pattern witnessed during the Senate election is repeated.”

In the Senate election held in March this year, the joint opposition comprising the Pakistan People’s Party ( PPP), PTI and Senators from Balochistan had deprived Pakistan Muslim League ( Nawaz) nominees of the posts of the Senate chairman and Deputy Chairman despite its majority.

The election for all National Assembly posts will also be held under secret balloting rule, which allows unbridled horsetrading. “It is everyone’s right to seek lawmakers’ support in favour of a candidate, but we do not want

PTI says Opposition is trying to lure some of its lawmakers for their votes in the election for the posts of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly

◗ PTI leaders are worried mainly because of two reasons — the secret balloting and slim majority it holds over the combined Opposition’s total strength

anyone to buy vote( s),” Mr Qureshi said.

“PTI has the required numbers. We are confident that our nominees will win if members of the National Assembly voted in accordance with their conscience,” he said, adding that the opposition alliance was unnatural and would not last long.

PTI’s spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry said: “PTI knows that some lawmakers have been approached in connection with the election for the posts of the speaker and deputy speaker,” he said, adding the party would conduct an inquiry into the affair.