Siraj, Khursheed Shah oppose Imran Khan's snap polls demand

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan’s demand for early elections has been turned down on Monday by two senior leaders; Jamat-e-Islami (JI) chief Siraj ul Haq and Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) senior leader Khursheed Shah from the opposition benches in the National Assembly.

Both leaders stressed that the incumbent government must complete its five-year term.

Speaking to journalists after party’s consultative session at Mansoora, the JI chief said that his party would not let anyone become a political martyr to gain sympathy in the upcoming general elections in 2018.

“The demand would eventually allow the ruling party to solicit support and help to gain the public confidence,” Haq added.

He said that the call for early elections should be given after consent of all political parties over the demand.

On the flip side, Opposition leader Khursheed Shah echoed similar sentiments while talking to media persons at his residence in Sukkur.

He said that he suggested a four-year term for future governments earlier, adding that the designated term of the government should be completed.

Taking a swipe at Imran Khan, Shah said that the PTI chief always acts in haste. “The government must complete its tenure and only then polls should be held,” he emphasized.

It merits to mention here that the PTI chairman called for early elections in the county during a press conference on Sunday. “Fresh mandate is necessary to strengthen democracy in the country,” Khan added.