ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced the schedule of by-election in Lodhran’s NA-154 whereas Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited the constituency on Friday to distribute cheques among the small farmers under the Kissan package which the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) termed as a clear violation of electoral rules & regulations.
The by-election in NA-154 Lodhran-I constituency will be held on December 23, according to the schedule issued by the ECP on Friday.
Meanwhile, the prime minister reached the Punjab’s Lodhran district and distributed cheques among the farmers amounting Rs85 billion.
In his address on the occasion, he said that the government has announced Kissan Package worth Rs341 billion unprecedented in the history of the country, adding that the government gives top priority to reduce cost of agriculture outputs.
The prime minister also announced multiple development projects and grant of Rs250 million for Lodhran district. He also announced two degree colleges in Lodhran.
In addition, he also announced to build two new flyovers and a new connecting road from Lodhran to Khanewal.
Later, the prime minister visited Sialkot to distribute cheques among farmers under PM’s Kissan Package.
On the occasion, the prime minister said that a network of infrastructure projects being implemented in every part of the country is true reflection of new Pakistan. He also inaugurated a facilitation centre for the purpose.
Sharif said that a Motorway would be constructed from Sialkot to Lahore, adding that work is already underway on construction of Lahore-Karachi Motorway.
Nawaz Sharif is trying to buy votes through Kissan package: PTI
Talking to media, the PTI Spokesman Naeem-ul Haq said that announcement development schemes in Lodhran is a clear violation of electoral rules & regulations.
The PTI Spokesman said that Kissan package is not aimed at improving socio-economic condition of poor farmers.
Naeem-ul Haq said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is trying to buy votes through Kissan package.
Earlier, the PTI leader and candidate from NA-154 Jahangir Khan Tareen wrote a letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to stop the prime minister from visiting Lodhran ahead of NA-154 by-elections.
In the letter, Jahangir Tareen said that the prime ministers’ visit is a violation of the ECP code of conduct as Nawaz Sharif will announce a Rs10 billion special development package for Lodhran district.
The PTI leader urged the CEC to take immediate notice of this attempt of ‘pre-poll rigging’.
“You will agree that this is a blatant case of pre-poll rigging. The development package is meant only and only to influence the by-election in favour of the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz candidate,” the PTI leader wrote in the letter.
