ECP may get intelligence agencies’ help to probe horse-trading in Senate election

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Wednesday hinted that it might seek assistance from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other intelligence agencies to investigate alleged horse-trading in the Senate election held on March 3.

The five-member commission, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza, heard the suo moto notice which it had taken on March 6 after horse-trading allegations were levelled by some politicians in media.

The commission had summoned eight parliamentarians for assistance in the case.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Farooq Sattar were represented by their counsel while Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb appeared in person.

During the course of proceedings, the CEC observed that buying and selling of votes was a crime and it was unfortunate that both the sellers and buyers were parliamentarians.

He said political parties should assist the ECP in the case.

PTI chief’s lawyer, Shahid Gondal told the ECP that the party had already formed a committee to investigate horse-trading and would submit a final report after completion of the inquiry.

The ECP adjourned the case till April 4.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Ameer Muqam also attended the proceedings.