Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah voiced serious concerns over transparency of the upcoming general elections. While speaking to the media, on Monday, the PPP leader claimed that a level playing field was not being provided to all political parties. “Disqualify them, lock them up and hand the election to Sheikh Rasheed,” Shah said while referring to the life imprisonment sentence awarded to Pakistan Muslim-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hanif Abbasi in the ephedrine quota case just three days ahead of general elections. “I’ve my political differences with the PML-N, but I disagree with the judgement against Hanif Abbasi,” he said, adding that the message being conveyed to the public was that Abbasi was disqualified to hand the elections to Sheikh Rasheed. Referring to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s conviction in the Avenfield case, he said that court’s decision coincided with this week’s general elections.”Even his (Nawaz’s) bail hearing has been fixed after July 25,” he added. The PPP leader cried foul over old cases being reopened against PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari ahead of polls. Fearing further occurrence of similar events in the days to come, he said that verdicts like these had adversely affected the reputation of July 25 polls. “The court should issue a stay order over Abbasi’s verdict and allow him to contest the election on Wednesday,” expressed the PPP leader. Published in Daily Times, July 24th 2018.