Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira. – Photo by APP

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira on Thursday said that poll rigging in 1990 elections was a robbery against democracy in the country.

Talking to a private television channel, he said that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) should tender an apology to the nation for subverting the people's mandate in the 1990 elections.

He said that Shahbaz Sharif is not in favor of an investigation from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which is a sign of disrespecting the judiciary and Apex court decisions.

He urged the PML-N leadership to respect the verdict of the court and face investigation.

The minister said that during 1990 elections, an interim set up was not neutral.

He added that the elections were totally maneuvered by the agencies to hatch a conspiracy against Benazir Bhutto and democracy.

Replying to a question, he said that the PML-N leadership also favored different participants of the past interim set up including Rafiq Tarar, Ghulam Haider Wain and Younus Habib after establishing a government with poll rigging.

He said that exercising of fake balloting in past elections also destroyed the image of free and fair elections in the country.

The information minister said that Benazir Bhutto statements about poll rigging in the 1990 elections were proved correct.

Replying to another question, he said that action against individuals involved in misusing public money would be taken according to the law.

Kaira said that Islami Jamhori Itehad (IJI) was made by former generals and the then establishment.

He said that Pakistan Peoples Party had been facing many false cases in the past.

Opinion

The Dar story continues

The Dar story continues

One wonders what the rationale was for the foreign minister — a highly demanding, full-time job — being assigned various other political responsibilities.

Editorial

Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.
All this talk
Updated 30 Apr, 2024

All this talk

The other parties are equally legitimate stakeholders in the country’s political future, and it must give them due consideration.
Monetary policy
30 Apr, 2024

Monetary policy

ALIGNING its decision with the trend in developed economies, the State Bank has acted wisely by holding its key...
Meaningless appointment
30 Apr, 2024

Meaningless appointment

THE PML-N’s policy of ‘family first’ has once again triggered criticism. The party’s latest move in this...