Minister for Overseas Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday mentioned that the federal government will settle for the Supreme Court docket’s determination on the strategy of voting within the Senate elections.
“We have asked the Supreme Court for its opinion on holding Senate elections via show of hands. Whatever the court decides will be accepted with an open heart,” mentioned Qureshi.
His remarks, throughout a media briefing in Multan, come a day after President Arif Alvi signed off on an ordinance that paves the way in which for Senate polls through an “open and identifiable ballot”.
President Arif Alvi indicators ordinance for open balloting in Senate elections
Qureshi mentioned that the nation should determine for itself “who desires an end to corrupt practices and who wishes to promote Senate wheeling and dealing”.
He identified that the Constitution of Democracy signed by the PPP and PML-N in 2006 comprises a bit that expressly lays out that Senate elections will probably be held through open balloting — the very change being sought by the federal government now.
“Why are you now turning your back on the agreement?” he questioned.
PDM vehemently opposes ordinance for Senate elections through present of palms
“The Opposition must tell us why they are so bent on setting up a market for the buying and selling of votes in the Senate elections,” the minister added.
He mentioned this shopping for and promoting of votes “must come to an end” and that is the federal government’s intention.
Qureshi mentioned that the federal government “does not have a two-thirds majority in the Senate” and was able to work with the Opposition for a constitutional modification to alter the strategy of voting, “but unfortunately, the Opposition did not let this happen”.
Talking of the Opposition’s determination of a “long march”, to start on March 26, he mentioned {that a} protest is the Opposition’s democratic proper, however “we request them not to spread chaos and not to take the law into their own hands”.
“They must protest in a democratic manner,” mentioned the minister.
Referring to the rallies held by the 11-party Opposition alliance, the Pakistan Democratic Motion, he mentioned that the occasions “did not see people’s participation much”.
“The people are aware that no benefit to the country lies in such activities that may be a source of mayhem,” he mentioned.
Qureshi mentioned that if the Opposition convey ahead good suggestions, they are going to be accepted.
The international minister lauded the United Nations Normal Meeting’s determination to yearly observe Kashmir Day on February 5.
“Today the cause of Kashmir is spreading to the far reaches of the world,” he mentioned.