Shah Mahmood claims, “PM Imran wants to end corrupt practices”

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has on Sunday said that the government wants to hold the Senate elections through open ballot to maintain transparency and end horse trading.

Talking to media in Multan on Sunday, he said Prime Minister Imran Khan wants to end corrupt practices.

The Foreign Minister said the ruling party is lacking a majority for constitutional changes and it has tabled the bill seeking the support of opposition as per their promise in Charter of Democracy signed by PPP and PML-N.

He said the government has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking a constitutional interpretation.

The government will welcome the verdict of the court on the matter, he added.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed the hope that the forthcoming newly elected senators will play their role in strengthening the country.

Earlier on Saturday, President Dr Arif Alvi had signed the Elections (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 for Senate elections to be held via an “open and identifiable ballot”.

The Ordinance will be effective with immediate effect subject to the interpretation of the Supreme Court on Presidential reference already sub-judice in the apex court.

The amendment has been introduced in section 33, 86 and 122 of the Election Act 2017.

Under the new ordinance, the election for Senate will be held on the open ballot.

“Provided that in case the Supreme Court of Pakistan gives an opinion in Reference No. 1 of 2021 filed under Article 186 of the Constitution, that elections for the members of the Senate do not fall within the purview of Article 226 of the Constitution, the poll for elections for members of the Senate to be held in March 2021 and thereafter shall be conducted by the Commission through the open and identifiable ballot,” reads the Ordinance.

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