ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered removal of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Law Minister Mahmood Khan after a video from 2018 showing him and other lawmakers counting cash ahead of the Senate polls went viral on social media. Ministers Shibli Faraz and Asad Umar, during a press conference today, referred to a video from 2018 circulating on social media in which several lawmakers can be seen counting cash reportedly ahead of the Senate polls. However, the ministers seemed unaware that the video also shows the present Law Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Sultan Mahmood.
The sitting provincial minister’s involvement in horse trading, as evident from the video, had led to demands for his sacking.
Media reported that the PM has directed KP CM to remove the law minister for his involvement in horse trading.
Information Minister Shibli Faraz and Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said that the central government wants to bring end to vote selling.
The video is from 2018 before the Senate elections. Some MPAs from KP are taking money to sell their vote. This is not recent news. We have been hearing for the last 20-30 years that Senate elections are sold, consciences are sold but it is heart-rending for any person who has a conscience [to see this],” said Asad Umar.
After investigating into the matter, 20 lawmakers were ousted from the party.
As senate elections draw closer, the premier had previously expressed his wish to conduct the Senate elections through the open ballot.
