ISLAMABAD - Information Minister Pervez Rasheed has said that PTI Chairman Imran Khan has made the entire senate election process suspicious and he should disclose the identity of the person who has offered him Rs 150 million for senate ticket.
Talking to media persons here after attending the launching ceremony of the First Book Museum at National Book Foundation, the minister said that Imran has made entire senate election doubtful through his blame game. Imran should disclose the name of the person who made him offer of Rs150 million for senate seat otherwise he will tell the nation the name of the person, Rasheed said.
He said senators are 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 all other parties have given tickets for Senate elections to their workers and personalities known for their political or other contribution. However, PTI has given tickets to those with obscure background. Rashid regretted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the axis of horse-trading in respect of Senate elections.
The minister said it was PTI chief who has converted politics into business as he awarded PTI tickets for Senate elections to those who were totally unknown to the general public. He said all players and merchants have reached KP as the party head has made issuance of party ticket a business.
Citing example of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, he said that Zafar Iqbal Jhagra, Mushahidullah Khan and Raja Zafarul Haq have been given party tickets for their democratic struggle and contribution. Similarly he said that PPP,JI, MQM, ANP and JUI-F have awarded party tickets for Senate election to their party workers.
He said it has been Imran’s habit to accuse others by name without having any documented proof but this time when he has proof, he has avoided naming the person.
Replying to a question, Pervaiz Rashid said that after March 5, the day of Senate election, all those involved in horse-trading would become crystal clear. The parties which win more seats than their strength in concerned provincial assembly would be deemed involved in horse-trading, he elaborated. He said there is a need to hold dialogue in the society to bring the people closer to each other and tolerate each other’s viewpoints.
The spokesman of Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf Umar Cheema responded to the Pervaiz Rashid’s criticism on PTI Chairman Imran Khan, saying that PTI was the only party which announced the fight against horse-trading in senate election.  He said that the drama of the government regarding the 22th constitutional amendment was badly exposed and he PML-N is just promoting the negative politics in the country.