Awam Pakistan Party chief and former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has endorsed Imran Khan’s decision to nominate Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas as opposition leaders, calling it the right decision” Khan has made from jail. Speaking to a private TV channel, Abbasi praised Achakzai’s principled stance, noting that for 35 years, Achakzai has consistently advocated for the constitution, even if one might disagree with his political views.

“I can disagree with him a hundred times, but Mahmood Khan Achakzai only talks about principles and the constitution,” Abbasi said.Addressing the issue of resigning from parliamentary assemblies, Abbasi expressed reservations about elected representatives abandoning their seats. However, he argued that the current parliament lacks legitimacy, stating, “The people sitting in the assemblies are not elected by the people.”

He further remarked, “It is better not to sit in today’s parliament than to sit here.  At least you will not be a part of the problems that have happened and will happen in this country.”Abbasi also highlighted widespread public discontent with Pakistan’s electoral system, citing a survey where 82 percent of respondents rejected the current election process as unfair, non-transparent, and unlawful.

He criticized the lack of attention given to public opinion and pointed to the handling of by-elections as a symptom of deeper systemic issues. “This opinion of the people is not being given any importance,” Abbasi lamented, emphasizing that the current system fails to address the country’s challenges.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)