LAHORE, May 16: Alleging massive rigging in the election, Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr Tahirul Qadri says “international powers have succeeded in getting a Taliban-friendly government in Pakistan for a safe and honourable exit from Afghanistan”.

“Nato forces have to leave Afghanistan next year. They have to shift goods and material worth billions of dollars from Afghanistan to their native countries by using Pakistan’s soil. Since it was not possible for the international powers without support of a Taliban-friendly government in Pakistan, they succeeded in getting it for accomplishing such a major task,” Qadri told reporters at a press conference at Model Town on Thursday.

He said former president Pervez Musharraf would also find a safe exit from Pakistan because of the “pro-Taliban government.” He said the current elections were unique in terms of rigging and countrywide protests by the parties. “It is the only election in the world that has sparked such massive protests both by winning and losing parties. Whatever the election commission did was already planned,” he commented. He said various politicians had started resigning from their parties and the nation would have to be purged of a corrupt electoral system. Those desirous of change would not be able to do so because of real opposition. “As most parties have come in power this time, there will be a weak opposition. And those seeking a real change cannot deliver well,” he added.

Qadri claimed formation of election tribunals was against the judicial policy of 2009 according to which retired judicial officers couldn’t be appointed.