PTI's struggle bearing fruit, says Imran Khan
ISLAMABAD: In a press conference on Monday, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said the election tribunal's decision to hold a re-election in NA-125 and PP-155 was a result of his party's 126-day dharna and constant struggle for transparency.
Know more: Election tribunal orders re-election in NA-125, PP-155.
The PTI chief said had it not been for his party's protests on the streets, such decisions would not have been possible.
"This decision is also a result of Hamid Khan's two-year-long efforts. You can imagine how tedious the process would be for an average person with minimal resources."
Reading out the tribunal's short order, Imran Khan said, "According to reports from NADRA, on average, each voter voted six times in NA-125."
"The short order says some bags were ripped open using a sharp object; there should be no doubt in anyone's mind now on rigging in the 2013 general election."
Slamming Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique for his statements after the tribunal's decision, Imran Khan said:
"How can he say that he is being blamed for the returning officers' negligence. The short order clearly says that bags were ripped open and that each voter voted six times on average. This is rigging right in front of you."
Read: I'm being punished for Returning Officers' failure: Saad Rafique.
During the press conference, Khan referred to Khawaja Saad Rafique as a "stranger in the House for two years."
"At this rate I believe soon the prime minster will also be a stranger in the house," said the PTI chief.
Imran Khan also questioned NADRA on why it did not release a forensic report on NA-122 — the constituency where he was defeated by PML-N's Ayaz Sadiq — that he said was due last week.
"I will go to NADRA's chief to ask him why the report is not being released."
Khan said his struggle had started bearing fruit, adding that in tomorrow's hearing with the judicial commission probing the 2013 general election, his party will argue that a re-election not be held in NA-125 unless the presiding officers and returning officers are held accountable for their negligence.
"This is the only way to find the real culprits behind an unfair election."
Imran Khan said the tribunal had done its job by declaring the election in NA-125 as void and that it was up to the judicial commission to ascertain who organised the rigging.
He said in the coming days, other election tribunal decisions will clear further doubts by corroborating his party's stance that the 2013 general election was rigged.
"Now tell me; was I not right in crying foul?"
Responding to a question on the PML-N's victory in cantonment board elections (which also included parts of NA-125) recently, Imran Khan said, “Do not compare local government elections with the general election.
“In 2008 the PML-Q was in power at the local level, yet PML-N’s Khawaja Saad Rafique won the seat in the general election.”
Read more: Judicial commission to examine witnesses from May 6
The judicial commission will begin recording the testimonies of witnesses on May 6 and as a first step towards investigating rigging in the 2013 General Elections, and has summoned 14 witnesses named in the list provided by the PTI, including Nabeel Gabol, the former MNA from NA-246 Karachi, for his public statements relating to accusations of rigging; anchorpersons Najam Sethi, who also acted as caretaker chief minister of Punjab during the last elections, and Hamid Mir.
The commission has directed the witnesses to appear before it on Tuesday at 1pm in the Supreme Court.
Thank you for your struggle.Democracy is strengthened through your efforts .
@Leader ,
@Jzaib ,
@Jazzbot .........