- As parties file replies before vote probe JC, PTI comes up with proof of rigging comprising 125,000 pages
- MQM blames PML-N and PTI for extra spending as PML-N rejects allegations of rigging
Discarding Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s allegations of rigging in 2013 General Election, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Saturday submitted its reply with the Judicial Commission (JC) formed for vote probe.
The PML-N delegation which filed the reply included Raja Mohammad Zafarul Haq, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Rafiq Rajwana, Anusha Rehman, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Barrister Zafarullah, Ashtar Ausaf and Tahira Aurangzeb.
The reply states that PTI has been levelling rigging allegations against PML-N for the last two years but it withdrew from its agenda when it appeared before the JC. PTI retracted and talked about irregularities by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), it adds.
It said that the government set up the JC on PTI’s demand but only five per cent of PTI candidates approached tribunals after losing the elections and verdicts have been given on most of the pleas.
The PML-N said that view point of any party cannot be accepted on the basis of mere allegation. The reply also made part the speeches and video clips of PTI chief Imran Khan delivered at various places, alleging organised rigging and named some judges, bureaucrats and some other personalities for their involvement in rigging.
The reply states that PML-N was not involved in rigging, however in individual cases, verdict has been given by the election tribunals.
For its part, the PTI submitted its reply along with proofs of rigging in elections comprising 125,000 pages. PTI leader Ishaq Khakwani went to the Supreme Court building with vehicle load of documents.
According to details, the PTI filed proof of rigging in 63 national and provincial constituencies of Punjab, six of Sindh, three of Balochistan, four of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and two of FATA.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was represented by Senator Farogh Nasim who demanded a probe against PML-N and PTI for spending more money than allowed in the advertisement campaigns during 2013 General Election. PTI’s Arif Alvi took away the ballot box with him, Nasim alleged. However, MQM decided not to answer the allegations of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) against them.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) also submitted exhibits to the judicial commission.
Separately, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) submitted a list of 32 witnesses to testify before the commission. The witnesses include Pervaiz Elahi, Wajahat Hussain and 2 other candidates.
The Q-League also pleaded that commission summon registrars of Supreme Court and Lahore High Court and allow it to call Fakhruddin G Ibrahim and Iftikhar Chaudhry as witnesses.
The next hearing of the commission will be held on April 27.