Sharif proposes, Khan disposes

• PM offers formation of three-member SC commission to probe alleged rigging in last year’s general elections
• Says he’s willing to discuss issues with PTI chief, but won’t allow Qadri to derail democratic system
• PTI chief says he has no faith in Sharif, asks him to step down from PM’s office before SC probe
• Wants formation of technocrat govt, new ECP to hold fresh elections

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday offered to form a judicial commission comprising three judges of the Supreme Court to probe alleged rigging in last year’s general elections as demanded by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, in a bid to rescue his government from the political quagmire that threatens to sink his government if matters spin out of control in the next two days.

However, the cricketer-turned-politician has dug in his heels and demanded that the prime minister should step down before any such commission is formed.

In a televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Sharif said that he was willing to request the Supreme Court to form a three-member commission to investigate alleged irregularities in the 2013 general elections.

“I request the Chief Justice of Pakistan [Justice Nasirul Mulk] to form a three-member commission that will investigate the rigging allegations and give a final decision,” the visibly concerned Sharif said in his speech.

Sharif’s appeal mirrored the words of Imran Khan, who in a televised interview, said that he would accept any decision taken by the Supreme Court if it launches a probe into rigging allegations.

Sources privy to the developments told Pakistan Today on condition of anonymity that the government deliberately delayed broadcasting Sharif’s pre-recorded address for half an hour as Khan’s interview was scheduled to run on a private news channel at 8pm.

The sources claimed that Khan’s interview was recorded on Tuesday afternoon but someone from the news channel had leaked the contents to the government’s media handlers who then decided to broadcast the premier’s speech half an hour later to make it seem that the government had readily accepted Khan’s demands for a judicial probe and hence there was no plausible reason left for the PTI to march to Islamabad on August 14.

Pakistan Today was unable to get a comment from Information Minister Pervez Rashid whose cell phone remained inaccessible by the time this report was made at midnight.

SHARIF SAYS ELECTION ‘FREE AND FAIR’:

In his address to the nation, Sharif questioned the ongoing protests in the country, repeatedly blaming unnamed “people” for the prevailing crisis.

“Can the people of this country – which is plagued with issues – ask what is the basis of this protest? Why are these people pushing Pakistan into terrorism, violence? What are their goals? Why these long marches? Please ask them. Why these hindrances?” he said.

“In 2002, the PML-N contested elections while we were in exile. We fulfilled our democratic role. In 2008, Shahbaz and I were declared ineligible (to contest polls). But we fulfilled our role. I was not given a place in the assembly but I did not cry about rigging,” he said.

The prime minister said that he respected the people’s right to protest, but stressed that parliamentary representation could not be determined by street protests.

“I am ready for any dialogue and negotiation. With an open heart I expressed the will to talk about the ongoing crisis,” he said. “For the wellbeing of Pakistan, I will not let ego come in the way.”

Alluding to Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri, the premier said, “This country, which is already fighting terrorism, will not allow a third party to incite violence.”

Nawaz said that the 2013 polls were largely considered free, fair and transparent.

“No international or local body said that these elections were rigged or that the losers were the real winners,” he argued.

Nawaz vowed that electoral laws would be reformed so that the next elections would be more transparent.

“For this reason, I asked the speakers of Senate and the National Assembly to constitute an electoral reforms committee. I am happy that this committee has been formed with 33 members and is functional. I am hopeful that this committee will achieve its goal in good time and will be a milestone in our country’s history,” he said.

The 2018 elections will take place under the recommendations of this committee, he said. “We want to take all parties on board,” he said.

“I am not saying our government has performed miracles but I can say that during 2014, Pakistan has progressed,” he said, pointing towards infrastructure and economy, strengthening of rupee, increase in exports, and the rise of the stock exchange.

IMRAN HAS NO CONFIDENCE IN SHARIF:

The PTI chief, on the other hand, told a hurriedly called press conference soon after the PM’s address that no judicial investigation into election results could be conducted transparently under Nawaz Sharif.

“As long as Nawaz Sharif is in government, what will the judicial commission do? It is your government and you will go against officers who investigate you. You will use the police to your advantage,” he said, addressing the premier.

The PTI chairman demanded Nawaz Sharif step down from premiership.

“Nawaz should resign when the judicial commission is formed, otherwise justice will not be served,” he said.

Referring to the premier’s speech, he said, “It felt odd that he was speaking to me in such a familiar manner. I felt that I should also reach out. But I want to tell my country something. This is not my personal issue with Nawaz Sharif. It is a clash of two ideologies.”

“These achievements he has spoken of have only come to his family. This government has had the poorest economic performance,” said Khan, hitting back at Sharif.

CONFIDENCE IN CJP:

Khan also said that he has complete faith in Chief Justice of Pakistan Nasirul Mulk and would accept any decision delivered by him in this matter.

When asked who would be part of the caretaker setup in case Prime Minister Sharif does decide to step down, the PTI chief said that it would have no politicians, only technocrats because if the government members are part of the caretaker setup, there will be a conflict of interest. He also called for the dissolution of the incumbent Election Commission of Pakistan.