ISLAMABAD – Opposition Leader in Senate Senator Sherry Rehman condemned theattack on PPP’s convoy in Khairpur, which took the life of one party workerand left 30 others injured – including PPP’s candidate for PS-32 NawabWasan and NA-210 Khairpur III candidate, Javeed Shah Gillani.
In a statement issued on Monday, Sherry Rehman said, “I offer my sincerestcondolences to the family of Yasir Kalhoro and prayers for the speedyrecovery for the injured. Your service in the name of democracy will not goto vain.”
The senator expressed her dismay at the lack of security during theelection season. She said, “This bout of violence in the run up to theelection is sadly aimed at undermining our democracy and deterring peoplefrom being active participants in the democratic process.”
She further said that it was unacceptable and extremely alarming thatcandidates, regardless of their party affiliation, are being mobbed,harassed and threatened in their rallies and meetings while bannedorganizations are being mainstreamed.
She added, “We have raised the issue of election related violence and lackof security before the ECP and on the floor of the House in Senate severaltimes over the course of this election cycle. Yet, here we are, withheadlines of election related violence almost every day. I respect thebravery and commitment shown by candidates and campaign workers to carry onwith their campaign activities.”
The PPP leader further stated, “This election is pivotal to Pakistan’sdemocratic transition which must adhere to terms outlined in theConstitution. I hope that on the 25th, we witness a violence free pollingday and the people of Pakistan turn out to exercise their right to vote.”
“More people are registered to vote now than the last election and thenumber of women registered to vote has also remarkably increased. These arethe fundamentals that strengthen our young and fragile democracy. This mustbe celebrated and hopefully will be reflected in the voting turn out,” sheconcluded.