LAHORE: Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat in stern reply to opposition in the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday said Pakistan’s Election Commission had been watching Daska’s by-election.
“Imran Khan will never speak out against the principles and whatever the Election Commission finds out, we will ensure the application of his report,” he said, adding that during Maryam Nawaz’s press conference in Daska, her workers confessed to murdering a PTI worker, so Maryam Nawaz must have the courage to bring a confessed killer before the law. Basharat said the difference between PTI and PML-N was that Imran Khan was unable to open four constituencies despite a long-sitting election, but he offered to re-elect in a disputed constituency in Daska the following day.
Answering Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan’s question, he said none of the leaders were certified thieves and fugitives. In fact, those who are thieves themselves see others as thieves. Speaking to PML-N workers, he said: “You have to rethink while following the leadership that sells eggs in kilos and potatoes in dozens.” Responding to Awais Leghari, Basharat said Usman Buzdar was the first visible public leader among Ditjen Khan’s community. “Look, he will continue to serve his people for five years. If anyone has a stomachache, it will continue to happen.” He said many PML-N leaders had defaulted in tens of millions over the past two and a half years. A notice was also posted at a leader’s house but he has not returned Rs 10 million so far. The Minister of Law regrets that N-Leagures is addicted to extorting money from the state and the people. “I will return to present the list of those in the DPR tomorrow, who have devoured millions.”
The law minister said it was unfair to pressure government officials, including the chief secretary, over the Daska elections. He said maintaining order in the provinces was the government’s responsibility which would be fulfilled at all costs. He asked the PDM whether Dr Nazir and Kasuri were killed by PTI. “I guarantee the DPR that in our time, murderers will be punished and the law will not be ridiculed as in the past,” he said.