- All major political parties except MQM support judicial probe into alleged vote fraud in 2013
- While Sherpao believes forming JC will open Pandora’s box for other parties’ reservations, Aitzaz fears JC will be challenged in SC
Apart from resistance by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), leaders from across the political divide Tuesday extended their support to the proposed judicial commission (JC) for a thorough vote audit of 2013 general elections.
However, some senior politicians warned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif against a possible legal battle even if Parliament approves the ordinance being promulgated for the initiation of the judicial probe.
The politicians expressed their reservations during an extraordinary sitting held at the Prime Minister’s Chambers at the National Assembly to discuss the pros and cons of the government’s decision to form a JC over a longstanding demand of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
SHERPAO TERMS JC PANDORA’S BOX:
“At least three senior political leaders cautioned the premier against the legal-cum-political implications of the government’s decision to go for a judicial probe, which according to them would set a negative precedence for future political course. In future, whenever a close battle is fought during any election, the losing party may demand a judicial probe,” a source quoted senior politician Aftab Sherpao as telling the prime minister.
The source claimed that Sherpao told the meeting that PTI chief Imran Khan was trying to take political mileage of the matter, which was another proof of Khan’s “selfish approach”.
“If the commission is formed, I fear it will open a Pandora’s box and all those applicants who have challenged the success of their opponents in various tribunals will submit their evidence with the commission,” Sherpao said.
MQM IS NOT IN:
Another participant of the meeting said that during the meeting, MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar strongly opposed JC’s formation, stating that it would be a violation of the constitutional provisions as the commission would prove to be an overlapping body against tribunals already working to settle election disputes.
“Dr Sattar said that there were some serious legal qualms in the MoU signed between PML-N and PTI. He said that all political parties were bound to abide by the Constitution. He said that though his party had been supporting the PML-N government on every major issue, the MQM would oppose ‘illegal formation’ of JC,” the source said.
PPP FEARS IT WILL BE CHALLENGED:
Another meeting participant said that PPP senior leader and noted jurist Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan also expressed his reservations over the PTI-PML-N agreement for judicial probe, stating that he feared that the commission would be challenged in the Supreme Court.
“Though I have no reservations over the judicial probe into the elections, I think many individuals will challenge this ordinance in the apex court even if the Parliament passes it with a majority,” the source quoted Aitzaz Ahsan as telling the prime minister.
The source added that the senior PPP leader said that there were some legal questions which might be raised and the agreement between the PTI and PML-N may face a long legal battle, the source added.
YES WE ARE IN:
Despite politicians’ reservations, Prime Minister Sharif expressed his government’s resolve to go ahead with his party’s agreement with the PTI and asked all the political leaders to support the shared cause to make future elections free, fair and independent.
An official handout said that parliamentary leaders extended their support for forming the JC as PM took the leaders into confidence about the process of negotiations with PTI. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar briefed the meeting about the details of negotiations.
The PM said the PML-N wanted to take all political forces together on matters of national importance. He said that he had written a letter for forming a JC on August 13, 2014.
Participants of the meeting congratulated the PM and the negotiating team on their success.
Upon assurance on JC’s formation, PPP’s Syed Khursheed Shah urged PTI to return to the National Assembly.
The meeting participants included leaders from all major political parties of the country, ministers and government officials.
