Tariq Saeed
Peshawar
Prime Minister Imran Khan has said his government intends to hold the Senate elections in February instead of March and will introduce necessary changes in the voting process to do away with horse-trading.
“The government has decided to hold the polls through show of hands instead of a secret ballot to bring an end to the practice of horse-trading and we are going to approach the Supreme Court to seek its opinion on the proposed changes in the voting procedure,” Imran disclosed while talking to media persons here Wednesday.
The Prime Minister, however, reiterated he was in no mood to give NRO to the Pakistan Democratic Movement an alliance of the 11 opposition parties that he said have only got united on one point agenda to save their looted money and corrupt practices.
He declared his government saw no threat from the opposition, nor was there any kind of pressure on him.
“I have been saying from the day one that all thieves will band together. Today, they have united under the name of the Pakistan Democratic Movement only to save their looted money,” he maintained and added the cases against opposition leaders were instituted in the past and not by his government.
Imran lamented that in the past huge amount of money was used to buy votes in the Senate polls.
Prime Minister said his government believed in transparent elections and the polls will be held for 52 seats of the upper house of Parliament as many members of the 104-member Senate are retiring on March 11.
Earlier speaking at a ceremony in connection with distribution of cheques amongst successful applicants under Kamyab Jawaan program in Peshawar Imran Khan assured to fully back the youth to promote the tourism and IT industries.
The PM pointed out that small and medium enterprises have an important role to generate economic activities.
He further stressed the need for evolving such a system under which the banks fully support the business ideas of the youth. He said this is important to exploit the true potential of our youth.
Imran Khan said loans will also be given to the people of tribal districts which lag behind in development.
He announced that the next program of cheques distribution under Kamyab Jawaan Program will be held in South Waziristan.
The Premier also expressed satisfaction over the interest of the youth in the livestock sector. He hoped the youth will run this sector on scientific lines which will help significantly bolster its production. He said if we manage to double our milk production it will greatly benefit the population.
