Govt agrees on judicial commission to probe election rigging

Published
39

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) agreed to form the long-awaited judicial commission – on Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) request – to probe irregularities and alleged rigging in the 2013 general elections.

Addressing a joint press conference on Friday, leaders of both the parties announced they had reached a consensus on all the terms of reference which had been under discussion for numerous months.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, flanked by PTI leaders Shah Mehmod Qureshi and Jahangir Tareen, said that PTI has shown a lot of flexibility which had made the agreement possible.

He also thanked the members of the political jirga and appreciated their efforts in ensuring a democratic solution to the standoff between PML-N and PTI. "We are glad that finally a consensus has been achieved," added Dar.

Also read: PPP backed PTI demand for judicial commission, says Qureshi

Speaking on the occasion, PTI Vice-Chairman Shah Mehmod Qureshi said that, “We want to develop a system which everyone should respect.” The 2013 elections have been under discussion for two years now, its important to resolve that issue, he added.

Ishaq Dar further assured that PML-N will share the copy of this agreement with other political parties and every will be apprised about it.

In recent past PTI had shown extraordinary flexibility to bridge the gaps and to evolve a consensus with the PML-N government for constitution of a Judicial Commission to probe into charges of alleged rigging in 2013 general elections.

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had also found PTI’s point-of-view just and assured its support to the party in this regard.

This was stated by Qureshi after the National Council meeting called to review the party’s constitution at a local hotel earlier this week.

Qureshi said the PTI wanted constitution of a Judicial Commission to probe into poll “rigging” allegations so that lessons could be learnt and next election held in a fair and transparent manner.

Opinion

Editorial

Makkah agreement
Updated 09 Aug, 2026

Makkah agreement

IN the midst of a gruelling war between the US and Iran — currently at a stalemate — the signing of the Makkah...
Conflicting priorities
09 Aug, 2026

Conflicting priorities

THERE is a reasonable argument that the democratic process must go on regardless of prevailing conditions; that...
FIFA controversy
09 Aug, 2026

FIFA controversy

FIFA PRESIDENT Gianni Infantino is at the centre of a storm of his own making. Even after a crisis meeting in...
Danger ahead
Updated 08 Aug, 2026

Danger ahead

PAKISTAN has already paid a heavy human price this monsoon, even as another dangerous spell approaches. NDMA figures...
Israeli impunity
08 Aug, 2026

Israeli impunity

ANY hope that Hamas’s decision to disarm would lead to a breakthrough has been dashed for one simple reason:...
Flawed investigations
Updated 08 Aug, 2026

Flawed investigations

An inaccurate record of a victim’s wounds hinders the dispensation of justice. Medical examiners in such a critical area cannot cut corners.