LAHORE: The same people would return to plunder the country if electoral reforms are not carried out before the next election, says Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr Tahirul Qadri.

Speaking to the core committee of the party, he said: “Under the current system, the elections have become more of a business in which one invests hugely only to recover the investment with massive profit. The middle class and honest people cannot take part in polls as they lack resources.”

The only way to bring honest and dedicated people on the top is carry out electoral reforms but the situation seems reverse. “The ruling elite is now trying to remove even the essential articles (62 and 63) of the Constitution instead of cementing them through honest implementation. The PAT would resist the effort at every cost.

The PAT has been trying to convince people that these articles are essential to keep corruption out. It held one of the biggest processions of the city’s history at Manto Park in 2012.

It held a week-long long march on the capital. Then it held smaller procession in 60 cities to highlight the importance of the articles. Now, it would not let efforts waste by sitting idle on the issue,” he promised.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2017