ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Since the Judicial Commission has cleared Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for all charges related to alleged rigging in 2013 polls, political parties especially main opponents of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have demanded Imran Khan to apologize publically.
On Wednesday night, a three-member Judicial Commission headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Nasirul Mulk sent its 237-page report to the federal government and according to the report, the Commission concluded that general elections held in May 2013 were in large part “organized and conducted fairly and in accordance with the law.”
Following the unveiling of the report, the ruling PML-N leaders are celebrating their victory, and are of the view that the 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.
On the other hand, political parties including the PML-N, Awami National Party (ANP) and Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have sought Imran’s apology from the nation for leveling baseless allegations regarding the general elections 2013.
The Railway Minister Khawaja Asif in his response said that the PTI Chief Imran Khan had created unrest among the whole nation and defamed the country’s image abroad. He said that some elements have used Imran Khan against the country and democracy.
One of the main rivals of the PTI, the JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also criticized the PTI and demanded of Imran Khan to apologize to the people for giving them false hope.
In a statement, the JUI-F leader called Imran Khan as an immature politician and said that the PTI leadership should resign not only from National Assembly but also from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly as the inquiry commission has proven them wrong.
The ANP Central President Asfandyar Wali Khan also while seeking apology from Imran Khan lauded the report of Judicial Commission and termed it a step forward in strengthening democracy.
The PPP leader and the Sindh Minister for Information and Irrigation Nisar Ahmed Khuhro in a press conference also urged the PTI Chief to seek public apology for keeping nation confused on basis of his unfounded allegations about rigging in polls.
