I AM NOT A CANDIDATE IN GENERAL ELECTIONS: DR ASIM 

By Nasir Mahmood

KARACHI: Former petroleum minister and leader of the PPP,  Dr Asim Hussain has no intention to contest next general elections in the country. I am not a candidate , he disclosed while replying to questions from media members outside the accountability court yesterday.

He appeared before the accountability court IV in NAB reference No. 13/2016 where the hearing could not be held due to leave application from prosecution witness Abdul Rasheed Jokhio. The court later fixed April 25 as next date of hearing.

Replying to various questions, Dr Asim said: “I have no intention to participate in the general elections due to certain reasons. Principally I disagree with various factors and in prevailing situation it looks like we are a dead nation of 200 million people.”

To another question, he said: Only politicians are not responsible for this debacle, whole nation is responsible for this. This is a collective responsibility of all of us , I don’t think that in these circumstances I could be able to bring any change being an elected person.”

Replying to a query about Nawaz Sharif’s departure, Dr Asim said Nawaz Sharif is not relevant and the PML-N is a closed chapter. But we have to concentrate on deteriorating conditions of the country. Dr Asim expressed grave concern especially over the economic situation in present circumstances and said if we do not bother it could be a serious threat to our survival. If we want to run democratic system we should respect vote and the voters, he added.