ABDUL RASHEED AZAD

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid has accused Chairman Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan of indulging in 'horse trading'. The minister accused Khan of levelling allegations without any concrete proof and also blamed the PTI chairman for turning politics into a business venture, alleging that the practice was rampant in KP.

Pervaiz Rasheed was responding to Imran Khan's Monday statement in which PTI chairman accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of being "deeply involved" in horse-trading along with the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam - Fazl (JUI-F).

Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, the Information Minister said results of the upcoming Senate polls would expose those involved in horse-trading.

He said senators were elected on the basis of numerical strength of different parties in the provincial assemblies and those getting more than their due share would be fully exposed.

The minister said while all other parties had given tickets for Senate elections to their workers and figures known for their political or other contribution in national life, PTI had given tickets to those having obscure backgrounds.

Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid has called on Imran Khan to name the person who offered Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leadership to pay Rs 150 million for a Senate ticket.

The minister said, "If Imran fails to disclose the name of the person, he (Rashid) will reveal the name of a person who paid over Rs 150 million to receive a Senate ticket from PTI."

It may be noted here that Imran on February 24, 2015, had revealed before media that a person was ready to give Rs 150 million for a Senate ticket. The Minister said all other parties had given tickets for Senate elections to their workers and personalities known for their political or other contributions, however PTI had given tickets to those with obscure background.

Pervaiz Rashid regretted that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was the axis of horse-trading with regard to Senate elections.