PTI-govt deal on vote fraud probe hangs in balance

• Imran Khan warns govt PTI is ready to take to streets again if MoU on JC is changed
• Says govt pressurising PTI to amend TORs, which won’t be allowed by party
• Dar allays Khan’s fears on judicial commission, says govt firm on agreed MoU
• Asks Khan not to pay heed to hearsay

The agreement between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government over the formation of a judicial commission to probe into allegations of massive rigging in the general elections in 2013, on Friday seemed to be in doldrums as PTI Chairman Imran Khan claimed that the government was pressurising his party to change the memorandum of understanding (MoU) agreed between the two parties with consensus a few days ago.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Imran Khan warned the government that PTI would take to the streets if the government backtracks from the agreement for a probe into alleged vote fraud.

“The PML-N is now putting pressure on PTI to change the memorandum of understanding (MoU) that led to the consensus between the two parties on formation of a judicial commission to probe alleged rigging in the 2013 general election.

“The MoU was agreed upon by both the parties some three months back. The conflict of interest was on three terms of references (ToRs) of the proposed agreement which was later resolved, only after PTI showed some flexibility,” he said.

But now, after signing of the agreement and its announcement in media, PML-N is hinting at backtracking from the agreement, which PTI will not allow at any cost, he asserted.

“We have shown leniency and acceptance just for the sake of the people of the country. But if PML-N still plans to employ delaying tactics then we will be rightful in taking to the streets for justice.”

The PTI chief warned that his party will not hold further talks with the government if PML-N goes back on the agreement. “This is a clear message for Nawaz Sharif and Ishaq Dar. Let there be no doubt in it.”

DAR ALLAYS PTI FEARS:

Commenting on Imran Khan’s statement to the press, Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that no change was made in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the government and PTI.

“Khan Sahab should not pay any heed to hearsay. We haven’t made any change in the MoU,” Dar said.

The finance minister, who led the government in talks with the PTI, said that not a full stop or comma was changed.

“It appears Imran Khan has been misinformed on this issue,” he noted, adding that he was surprised by the statement.

Dar said that judicial commission would be set up under the agreement reached between two sides on March 20.