Opposition demanded '34-page NRO', says PM Imran Khan

• PM Imran Khan reiterates vow to never give NRO to Opposition
• Says cases against Opposition not filed in PTI government
• Reminds nation of what he was doing as PDM held Lahore jalsa
• Speaks of horse trading during Senate elections

PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Wednesday that the Opposition had demanded a “34-page NRO” when he offered to engage in dialogue.

The premier made the statement while talking to reports during his day-long Peshawar visit. “I would never bow down under any circumstances,” he asserted.

"The cases against the Opposition were not filed during our government [but] were registered in the past," he said, adding that there was no threat to the PTI regime from them.

The premier underlined that everyone was aware of what he was doing the day the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) eld their much-anticipated rally in Lahore. "There is no pressure on me," he said.

"The Opposition has been holding large rallies," he noted, referring to the PDM's jalsas in Peshawar, Karachi, Quetta, Lahore, Gujranwala, and Multan.

"If I want, I can still hold a rally bigger than Opposition's," the PM added.

Senate elections

Related: Raza Rabbani says only ECP can decide date of elections, terms Cabinet's move illegal

Earlier in the day, PM Imran Khan said the PTI-led government has approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan to hold the upcoming Senate elections via a "show of hands".

Speaking to reporters here in Peshawar, PM Imran Khan said elections for the Upper House would be held earlier than planned and that he had been given a detailed briefing on the matter by Attorney General of Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan.

"Horse trading is easier for the government in Senate elections," he said, adding that the PTI, however, believes in transparent elections and had expelled 20 MPAs from the party.

Sources had informed Geo News on December 15 that the government had decided to hold Senate elections in February instead of March 2021 in a decision taken during a Cabinet meeting.

The government has decided to use "open voting" for the elections, they had added.

Later, in a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Senator Shibli Faraz had said the PTI regime is striving to make the Senate elections free and fair.

"Controversies have always surrounded the Senate elections," he had said.

"It is such an old practice that it is assumed that in the elections, [horse trading] will surely take place.

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