Either elections to take place in November or after two years: Opposition Leader Raja Riaz
ISLAMABAD, July 30 (SABAH): Opposition Leader in the National Assembly (NA) Raja Riaz Ahmed Khan has said that being a political worker he was of the view that either elections will be held in November or after two years.
Raja Riaz Ahmed Khan expressed these views during in an interview with a private TV channel. He further said that if elections were not held in November, then the country would be strengthened economically and added unless it could become financially stable, he was not seeing the elections.
The opposition leader said that he could not shed light on his support or opposition of Minister for Finance Mohammad Ishaq Dar’s name as interim prime minister of the country; however, he appeared to be confident that he and Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will reach a consensus on selecting a name for the caretaker prime minister. “I have a very good working relationship with Shehbaz Sharif sahib. We will agree on a name,” he remarked.
He said that the matter was not one of stubbornness where he was insistent that his suggestion be agreed upon. He said that he would agree to the premier’s suggestion if the latter suggested an appropriate name for the coveted position.
Asked about when he expected general elections to take place, opposition leader said, “Either the elections will take place in November or after two years.”
Shedding light on the timing of the elections, Raja Riaz said, “If you look at democracy, then elections should take place on time, I am in favour of this. If you look at the country’s economic situation, then the other situation is very serious and dangerous.”
He further said that he was of the view that the country should be strengthened economically, and added so many elections have taken place [in the past so] they will keep taking place in the future as well.
Asked about the ruling coalition government’s views on banning the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the aftermath of the violent events of May 9, Raja Riaz asserted, “Because of the [disrespect to] martyrs, I say that this party (PTI) should be banned.”
Raja Riaz said the PTI had managed to do what India could not. When asked if action should be taken under Article 6 (high treason) of the Constitution against the party’s leaders, he responded, “Definitely, it should be taken.”
Regarding military trials of civilians, Raja Riaz said, “Why did these people go into their (army’s) territory? “If they went into their (army’s) territory, then a case should proceed according to their domain as well. There is no harm in it.”
When Raja Riaz was also asked about PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s loyalty to party chief Imran Khan, he said that those who were sincere with Imran Khan were either in jail or had fled, while those who were still standing with him were not sincere.