Imran Khan suggests direct Senate elections to avoid horse-trading

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan claimed on Tuesday he was offered an amount of Rs400 million for a seat in the upper house of the Parliament.

Speaking to the media, the PTI chief said horse-trading is going on to buy members of provincial assemblies ahead of the Senate elections scheduled on March 3.

He, however, expressed hope that the PTI members will remain loyal to the party and it would win six seats in the Senate.

Imran said he feared a decision against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is facing trial on corruption charges, is likely to come soon.

He claimed the former premier wanted to pitch the parliament against the judiciary to achieve his desired ends. Sharif got adequate opportunity to clear himself of corruption charges, Imran added.

The PTI chief threatened to take to streets if democracy and the judiciary came under attack.

If voted into power, the PTI government would ensure direct election of the Senate to avoid horse-trading, he added.

Slamming arch-rival Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan said the PML-N chief and his party attacked the Supreme Court and used his wealth to buy judges to get decisions in his favour.

He said the former premier had to account for Rs300 billion.