.:: SAMAA - Threat to Sharifs behind by-poll delay

Staff Report

GILGIT: The threat of terrorist attacks, including warnings to Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif, is being cited as the Punjab government’s reason for wanting by-elections delayed.

The by-polls were scheduled to be held on NA-55 Rawalpindi and NA-123 Lahore and on provincial constituencies PP-82 Jhang and PP-284 Bahawalnagar.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that the federal home department informed the Sharifs about the threat to their lives and a report detailing it will be presented in court. The PM was speaking to reporters in Gilgit.

The Punjab government has submitted an application to the Lahore High Court for the postponement of the by-elections in the province to Nov 7, 2009. The court refused, however, to issue a stay-order until a decision is made and has summoned the Election Commissioner for Oct 2, Friday.

“The government will follow whatever the court decides about the by-election,” the prime minister stressed.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah told SAMAA that according to intelligence agency reports, Lahore is currently a target for terrorists. He also argued that postponing the by-elections for a few days was not the same as depriving people of their right to vote. The Pakistan Muslim League-Q has decided to second the appeal to postpone the election. SAMAA