PM tasks cabinet members to lobby for Hafeez Shaikh against 'convicted candidate' of PDM.

Byline: Mian Abrar

ISLAMABAD -- Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday tasked the cabinet ministers to lobby and ensure the win of Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh in the upcoming Senate elections.

Chairing the federal cabinet meeting, PM Imran directed the ministers and lawmakers to remain vigilant till the Senate elections and use their personal contacts to seek vote for the party's nominees.

A source told Pakistan Today that, during the cabinet meeting, a minister proposed that each minister should seek votes on the basis of relations.

The premier said that the candidate of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Yousuf Raza Gilani has been convicted and has been disqualified before, and hence has no credibility to contest Senate elections.

'Hafeez Shaikh is the right choice, there is no case against him,' said the premier, and therein tasked the ministers to ensure the Shaikh victory.

He said that the ministers should remain active and vigilant till the Senate elections for the government candidates so as no one could use dirty money to influence the Senate elections.

The source said that the ministers have taken the responsibility of soliciting votes based on their personal relationship.

It was also decided during the meeting that the government members will also contact opposition members for votes.

'All party leaders should pay attention to the Senate elections. The PTI [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf] will win the Senate elections,' Prime Minister Imran was quoted as telling his comrades.

He also told the cabinet that tickets for Senate elections were given on merit. 'Respect the workers, those who oppose the open ballot will express remorse after the election,' the source quoted the prime minister as saying. It was further learned that the government is awaiting the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) regarding the open ballot.

The prime minister further said that he would respect the decision of the Supreme Court regarding open ballot elections. Moreover, the Election Commission of...