The inquiry commission comprised of three top judges of Pakistan is expected to verify whether 2013 general elections were free, fair and transparent. The commission would also answer the critical question whether the ruling PML-Nawaz connived with relevant quarters to rig the elections in a systematic manner.
In a signed agreement, the ruling party and the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) agreed on the dissolution of National Assembly in case the rigging allegations were proved.
Sources close to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif say the country’s chief executive is absolutely confident of a favourable verdict from the inquiry commission.
The final arguments of the PTI counsel, Hafeez Pirzada, seemed to have failed to impress the three honourable judges. Besides, the judges repeatedly asked him to produce solid evidence to support the allegations of systematic rigging.
The PTI suffered one blow after another during the course of the hearing. It backtracked from the allegation of “35 punctures” they had levelled against the caretaker chief minister. It refused to cross-examine former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry despite accusing him of playing a core role in the rigging. It failed to correct the impression that Imran Khan and his companions tried to derail democracy once again.
However, the PTI’s poor performance before the inquiry commission may not justify over confidence on the part of the prime minister and his team.
“So far the prime minister has not chaired a single meeting to discuss the scenario of having hostile verdict by the inquiry commission,” a source close to the prime minister said. Perhaps he believes in crossing the bridge when he comes to it.
Prime minister’s special assistant, Irfan Siddiqui, minced no words saying the National Assembly would be dissolved if the inquiry commission accepted the PTI’s prayer.
Asked whether the government is prepared to take such a critical decision, he said there was no need to be prepared. “It’s part of the deal. We would not be having any other option,” he snapped.
The inquiry commission completed the hearing during the holy month of Ramzan. While concluding the hearing Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk told the counsels to enjoy vacations and let the commission prepare its verdict. The decision of the inquiry commission was expected before Eid. Analysts now say the verdict is expected any time soon. And only the three members of the commission know what it is going to be.
Senior PTI leaders are tight-lipped on the issue saying the matter is still subjudice and any comment may not be appropriate. In private conversations, they have no hopes of a favourable verdict.
PTI insiders say Mr Khan did not think it important to discuss and finalize a post-verdict strategy. He already stated, more than once, that his party would accept the inquiry commission’s decision whatever it may be. They over simplification may not augur well for the party in the end.
The PTI has already returned to the National Assembly voluntarily. Its MNAs also accepted the salaries of the months in which they remained absent. First, Mr Khan announced to donate the salaries to his cancer hospital and, later, after severe criticism, he decided to return the salaries.
Mr Khan has repeatedly stated that his party would accept the inquiry commission’s verdict. Even before the verdict, he and his companions told the nation how well they unearthed the conspiracy behind the stealing of their mandate. Their verdict before the actual verdict did not surprise those who have been listening to them.
The PTI leadership is anticipating a storm of mockery and condemnation provided the inquiry commission dismissed their plea. Hawks in PML-N have already pointed their guns at PTI, demanding unconditional apologies from the party’s leaders.
Whatever decision the inquiry commission would deliver, it would likely express its concerns over weak electoral system in the country. Holding free and fair elections was the prime responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Last year, a parliamentary committee on electoral reforms was constituted. The PTI leaders skipped its meetings for months. After an agreement with the ruling party they joined it, but a lot of precious time was wasted.
Shahzad Raza is an Islamabad-based journalist
Twitter: OldPakistan_
In a signed agreement, the ruling party and the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) agreed on the dissolution of National Assembly in case the rigging allegations were proved.
Sources close to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif say the country’s chief executive is absolutely confident of a favourable verdict from the inquiry commission.
The final arguments of the PTI counsel, Hafeez Pirzada, seemed to have failed to impress the three honourable judges. Besides, the judges repeatedly asked him to produce solid evidence to support the allegations of systematic rigging.
The PTI suffered one blow after another during the course of the hearing. It backtracked from the allegation of “35 punctures” they had levelled against the caretaker chief minister. It refused to cross-examine former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry despite accusing him of playing a core role in the rigging. It failed to correct the impression that Imran Khan and his companions tried to derail democracy once again.
However, the PTI’s poor performance before the inquiry commission may not justify over confidence on the part of the prime minister and his team.
“So far the prime minister has not chaired a single meeting to discuss the scenario of having hostile verdict by the inquiry commission,” a source close to the prime minister said. Perhaps he believes in crossing the bridge when he comes to it.
Prime minister’s special assistant, Irfan Siddiqui, minced no words saying the National Assembly would be dissolved if the inquiry commission accepted the PTI’s prayer.
Asked whether the government is prepared to take such a critical decision, he said there was no need to be prepared. “It’s part of the deal. We would not be having any other option,” he snapped.
The inquiry commission completed the hearing during the holy month of Ramzan. While concluding the hearing Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk told the counsels to enjoy vacations and let the commission prepare its verdict. The decision of the inquiry commission was expected before Eid. Analysts now say the verdict is expected any time soon. And only the three members of the commission know what it is going to be.
Senior PTI leaders are tight-lipped on the issue saying the matter is still subjudice and any comment may not be appropriate. In private conversations, they have no hopes of a favourable verdict.
PTI insiders say Mr Khan did not think it important to discuss and finalize a post-verdict strategy. He already stated, more than once, that his party would accept the inquiry commission’s decision whatever it may be. They over simplification may not augur well for the party in the end.
The PTI has already returned to the National Assembly voluntarily. Its MNAs also accepted the salaries of the months in which they remained absent. First, Mr Khan announced to donate the salaries to his cancer hospital and, later, after severe criticism, he decided to return the salaries.
Mr Khan has repeatedly stated that his party would accept the inquiry commission’s verdict. Even before the verdict, he and his companions told the nation how well they unearthed the conspiracy behind the stealing of their mandate. Their verdict before the actual verdict did not surprise those who have been listening to them.
The PTI leadership is anticipating a storm of mockery and condemnation provided the inquiry commission dismissed their plea. Hawks in PML-N have already pointed their guns at PTI, demanding unconditional apologies from the party’s leaders.
Whatever decision the inquiry commission would deliver, it would likely express its concerns over weak electoral system in the country. Holding free and fair elections was the prime responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Last year, a parliamentary committee on electoral reforms was constituted. The PTI leaders skipped its meetings for months. After an agreement with the ruling party they joined it, but a lot of precious time was wasted.
Shahzad Raza is an Islamabad-based journalist
Twitter: OldPakistan_