ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that after historic verdict of the Judicial Commission formed the probe the alleged rigging in 2003 polls, Pakistan has entered into a new era.
In his address to the nation on Thursday evening, the prime minister however said that as per its election manifesto, the Pakistan Muslim league-Nawaz (PML-N) is still committed to bring about electoral reforms to ensure fair and transparent elections in the future.
His address was meant to take the nation into confidence over the recently published report by judicial commission which concluded that general elections held in May 2013 were in large part “organized and conducted fairly and in accordance with the law.”
Also read: 2013 elections were organised, fair and according to the law: JC report
The prime minister said that comprehensive report of the Judicial Commission is not only endorsement of the government’s point of view on the issue of electoral rigging but also authentication of people’s mandate.
Sharif said that the verdict of the Commission is also validation of the concept that issues can be resolved through constitutional forums and not on roads or through sit-ins.
Nawaz Sharif said that the highest and most credible forum has authenticated the 2013 general elections as transparent and free from rigging; and therefore, the chapter of allegations and false accusations should come to a close forever.
“We should consider verdict of the Inquiry Commission as a milestone and embark on a new journey on the road to progress and prosperity and get rid of chaos, uncertainty and instability,” he said.
The prime minister said that they are ready to forget what happened after the elections till now but it was unfortunate that the country was defamed by making fair and spotless elections disputed.
Sharif said that the government intends to pursue constructive policy of mutual consultations, reconciliation and consensus building in future like it had been doing since polls.
However, he expressed the hope that those who wasted precious time of the nation would also learn the lesson and desist from negative politics.
