Ex-CJ rubbishes Imran's 'absurd' rigging allegations

Dawn.com Published May 6, 2014

ISLAMABAD: Former chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Tuesday rejected the rigging accusations made against him by Pakistan Tehreeak-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, terming them as 'baseless', DawnNews reported.

The former chief justice said that Returning Officers (ROs) for the 2013 elections were appointed by the Election Commission of Pakistan and not by him. He added that the 'absurd' allegations hurled by the PTI chief did not warrant a response.

Earlier in May, PTI chief Imran Khan had openly criticised the former chief justice and the Jang/Geo group for their alleged involvement in the rigging during the 2013 polls. Khan had asked the current chief justice to take notice of how, with the support of former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, this powerful media house had ‘stolen’ the general elections in favour of one party.

He alleged that when the now-retired chief justice made an unprecedented appearance at a lecture for returning officers before the general elections, it sent a signal to the TV channel that declared the PML-N victorious when only 20 per cent of votes had been counted.

Speaking to the media after addressing the Islamabad Bar, Chaudhry said the judiciary had been serving justice and would continue to do so.

He added that the constitution had defined the roles of the judiciary and the armed forces of Pakistan and he was sure there would not be a clash between different state institutions.

Ex-Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry said both the judiciary and armed forces were not debatable topics.

He also demanded the payment of compensation to the victims of the Islamabad court attack on March 3, in accordance with Justice Shaukat Siddiqui's report on the matter.

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Anees

May 06, 2014 02:13pm

Was he present at every RO's office if he is so sure about no rigging? Can an IG Police claim with certainty that no constable takes bribes?

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May 06, 2014 02:26pm

Ex-CJ was the worst person in Pakistan Judicial History. He was morally corrupt person. IK allegations against him are 100% correct. During his tenure he favoure PML-N and Geo/Jang group. He obviously against everybody else. Even now as a retired person he is spoiling Pervez Musharraf case.

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Safwan

May 06, 2014 02:28pm

Sir, you disappointed an entire nation.

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fazalpai

May 06, 2014 02:33pm

Defensive and worried statement by Mr.iftikhar.He and others past responsibles of pakistan realizes the blow of whistle soon.

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Ashfaq

May 06, 2014 02:37pm

Imran Khan get over it. You lost the elections. Rigging always happen in countries like India & Pakistan and from what we have seen it wasn't anymore than previous elections. You'll never have 100% rigging free elections. CAN YOU PLEASE FOR THE SAKE OF COUNTRY NOW FOCUS ON DELIVERING TO THE POOR FOLKS.

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May 06, 2014 02:38pm

Imran Khan please grow up, you are no more a captain of any side because you are a crying baby.

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ali ahmed

May 06, 2014 02:40pm

the man who manipulated election and judiciary and retired as a PCO judge,should be tried under article 6

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event horizon

May 06, 2014 02:42pm

Former allies of fake restoration of judiciary movement are now up against each other. It is Geo versus Imran Khan; Iftikhar Chaudhary versus Imran Khan. Soon in some way, it will be PML-N against Iftikhar Chaudhary. If Musharraf removed this man from the CJP position, there was a logic behind it. Sadly enough, Geo group had vested interests against Musharraf and led the campaign in favor of the restoration. Other media was too na

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Khalid

May 06, 2014 02:56pm

That is nice. So we can not discuss judiciary now?. I wonder if our previous CJ has ever confirmed to the nation that he had eradicated bribe culture from our judiciary?. We all know the corruption that goes on in our courts.

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Zak

May 06, 2014 03:10pm

From extreme respect to extreme disgust at Ifthikhar chowdry, clearly playing dirty to get Nawaz in. Now we understand why PResident Musharaf had him removed on corruption.

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Ajamal

May 06, 2014 03:27pm

Imran Khan's allegations are as baseless as those against his son, Arsalan Iftikhar. Mr. Chaudray - this nation deserved a person of your caliber and character and that of Mr. Nawaz Sharif. No wonder Pakistan has become laughing stock in the community of the world.

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Masoud

May 06, 2014 03:31pm

"The former chief justice said that Returning Officers (ROs) for the 2013 elections were appointed by the Election Commission of Pakistan and not by him. He added that the 'absurd' allegations hurled by the PTI chief did not warrant a response" This has got a hidden message that the ROs were responsible for any pool rigging that may have taken place.

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Karim Momabni

May 06, 2014 03:34pm

The worst thing that ever happened to Pakistan was Iftikhar Chaudry ............ He destroyed Pakistan Steel Mills, he destroyed international image of Pakistan, his involvement in economic matters resulted in great losses for the Government................. He took oath under PCO and later removed every judge taking oath under PCO.......... What double standards.......... What he has done is absurd and he should be brought to justice for his actions and the losses which Pakistan suffered because of his misjudgments.......

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Atam Vetta

May 06, 2014 03:46pm

Mr Khan is a rare politician who accuses his country

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Arif A.Khan

May 06, 2014 03:48pm

@Ashfaq You believe in "If you can't beat them,join them", please try to understand the gravity of this corrupt system, some one has to take a first step.

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Harmony

May 06, 2014 03:51pm

Truth hurts Mr ex-CJ!!!

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M Rafique

May 06, 2014 03:52pm

At one place Iftikhar Chaudhry saying that the 'absurd' allegations hurled by the PTI chief did not warrant a response.on other hand he rejecting the said allegation. Chaudhry and or Rana Saheb have you addressed the returning officers or not as alleged and what about your reluctance to start proceedings in rigging case filed with supreme court.

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Khalid

May 06, 2014 03:55pm

Because the way he handled son Arsalan's case, I will take Imran Khan's word over ex-cj's any time.

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Shaukat

May 06, 2014 03:56pm

Dear Mr. Iftikhar Ch, I disagree with you and consider Imran Khan's claims very credible. I think we need to have fair elections in Pakistan for progress. Thanks

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excalibur

May 06, 2014 04:02pm

Musharraf must be remembered with honour for having sent a Presidential Reference to the Supreme Judicial Council for investigation ( under the advice of PM Shaukat Aziz as per the Constitution ) but the hopeless sycophant Aetzaza Ahsan got it dismissed on technical grounds without any hearing Since then each and every charge in that Reference has turned out to be true God has His own ways to reveal the truth

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Awais

May 06, 2014 04:05pm

Well at first he was the most praised person by Mr. Khan and Geo was his fav channel as he gave his first interview right after election to them. Geo kind of ran campaign for IK before the election if my innocent nation remember. Even in his white pages he didn't named Geo etc in rigging and suddenly both of them are involved in such act.. What a rubbish IK.. please keep your foreign agenda to destabilize Pakistan to your self.

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Mr. Honest

May 06, 2014 04:07pm

Mr. Ex CJP were the allegations of massive corruption on your son Arsalan also baseless??? You did many goods, but then lost respect in eyes of many after the Arsalan episode, and how you and your colleagues turned blind on that case. Is justice blind??? I guess not in your books sir. Why did you not take suo motto (your favorite) on massive rigging charges and complaints???

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Saad Saeed

May 06, 2014 04:19pm

Get ready for his interview with some Geo anchor. After all he had been Geo's patron ever since he was reinstated as CJ

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Danish

May 06, 2014 04:22pm

This man proves Imran right when he says: both the judiciary and armed forces were not debatable topics.

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Fareed

May 06, 2014 04:34pm

Ex CJ still has to answer how his son Arsalan over night became a millionaire. All those charges by real estate tycoon Riaz Malick that Arsalan made trips to Europe, expenses paid by Riaz Malick. Whole matter very tactfully was hushed up.During his tenure as CJ, Iftikhar Choudhry worked for his personal glorification. All that hoopla about NRO was a drama, he spent 5 years tried to prosecute Zardari for Swiss money laundering but miserably failed.

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Imran Siddiqui

May 06, 2014 04:36pm

@Ashfaq Imran Khan is focused on KPK and this campaign will not impact anything in KP.

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Irfan

May 06, 2014 04:40pm

Geo /justice are two sides of the same coin.

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Imran Siddiqui

May 06, 2014 04:41pm

@Atam Vetta Imran Khan is asking for results on four seats and not the entire results.

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Anwaar

May 06, 2014 04:43pm

"Ex-Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry said both the judiciary and armed forces were not debatable topics." ..... of course no matter how much corruption is there ... YOU simply cannot point fingers because that would be treason right ?????

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Suhail

May 06, 2014 04:48pm

Our electoal system is corrupt to the bottom of it. If we don't fix it now we will be doing great injustice to our future generations and will continously ruled by the few elites who are intrested to solve the problems of ordinary people.

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PakistanRocks

May 06, 2014 04:54pm

PML N came in power as it was pre decided. Wherever the recounting of votes and verification of thumb impression has been done PML N lost. Even current Interior Minister lost in his own constituency on recounting so Ex Chief Justice's claim that the allegations are baseless is actually baseless. If recounting is done in the whole country I am sure the current cabinet will be dissolved. In our constituency PML N candidate won whose name nor me nor my father have ever heard in 30 years but welcome, this is Pakistan politics!

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M R Khawaja

May 06, 2014 04:58pm

This man loved calling officials to his Jirga[Court] to leave their day to day work he wanted to show people he is big and powerful. He like bullet proof car if he is man of people go and see how popular you are with out your protocol. He committed crimes on the name of justice. Go and take care of your corrupt son Mr Choudry.

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ali

May 06, 2014 05:29pm

@GM. I fully agreed with you. This former CJ was seemed to be an arrogant (not rational) person. While he was in power, he did never respect others. He always thought himself and Judiciary as part of 'super math' and no body could raise any question to him or to his acts. Even after powerless(retirement), he too now dares to play the same singing that both the Judiciary and the Arm Forces are not accountable(debatable) to anybody else! What a shame!

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Aussie

May 06, 2014 05:44pm

A cancer in the judicial system.

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Salman

May 06, 2014 06:08pm

@Ashfaq - FYI, India has biometric system for the elections. Only if one can cut through voter's thumbprints, then rigging can happen.

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patriot

May 06, 2014 06:12pm

@Zak O come on .....

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Rogers Evans

May 06, 2014 06:12pm

His comments are out of the line. He is a PML-N man and wants a seat in Parliament,so that he becomes LAW & Justice Minister.

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MSAlvi

May 06, 2014 06:13pm

Ex-CJP says that Imran's allegations are not response worthy. Yet he is responding. His best response should have been: no response. Just keep quiet. This man is more political than judge.

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patriot

May 06, 2014 06:15pm

Saving steel mills from being stolen is a big service to Pakistan nation, people opposing cj on political or racial grounds are just criminals

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Abdul Malik

May 06, 2014 06:16pm

Iftikhar Ch, you are no angel either. Your own son was heavily involved in corrupt business practice and how you tried to hush up the case. Pakistani people are no longer stupid and morons either. Had it not been for people like Imran Khan and the powerful media (thanks to Pervaiz Musharraf), you would have stayed home and never seen the CJ chamber in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. What makes you say that judiciary and armed forces are not debatable subjects? This is exactly the prime reason that we have seen so many martial laws and democracy derailed umpteen times. It is about time you now sit back, enjoy all the perks that you have as a retired CJ.

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ismail

May 06, 2014 06:25pm

Almost all comments given below are very much valid. Iftikhar Choudhry must be tried for taking oath under PCO as that was the starting point when Musharraf took over charge in 1999. Ex CJP has to plead his case first before trial of Musharraf who is now proved that was right in filling reference against ex CJP. Also Choudhry Iftikhar should be taken to task for giving heavy loss to exchequer of Pakistan by his non sense policies. I am sure he has dual Nationality also as many of the Judges have. If not then he should prove it.

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nadeem

May 06, 2014 06:34pm

i live out of country and have seen respect for imran khan out of pakistan,please support him as he is the best thing happened to pakistan since quaid e azam.a lot people compare him to nelson mandela but will we allow him to become international leader.

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Arshad

May 06, 2014 06:35pm

The former chief Justice is one of the evil band of brothers in Pakistan. He has beyond doubt destroyed the credibility of the Judiciary in Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif and family, his party, PPP, MQM, APN are the Mafia's of Pakistani politics. The rigging of votes is unquestionable. Imran and Quadri should not lose their sights of correcting the crimes committed by the above named parties. This is a chance and it should never be lost.

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Youth

May 06, 2014 06:39pm

To give a clean chit to the last poll would be injustice. Everyone knows it well that many of the results were rigged especially in Punjab. Until early hours of the night PTI was ahead, suddenly after midnight things started to favour PMLN & by morning PML N was far ahead, magic indeed, this is the way it happens when there are many international directors taking keen interest in the ensuing results.

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nadeem

May 06, 2014 06:41pm

imran khan is a best thing happened to pakistan since quad e azam and a lot people out of pakistan think he can be next nelson mandela,but will we allow him to be.as we are so use of medicore and corrupt leaders.

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Amjad Wyne

May 06, 2014 06:42pm

Iftikhar Chaudhry must leave the stage.

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Salim A

May 06, 2014 06:45pm

Imran Khan would not have much more than he already did. There is no evidence that IK or anyone else has produced, except allegations and accusation with basis against the CJ. He was not perfect but then who is in Pakistan. Flawless elections do not take place even in advanced democracies. IK needs to move on.

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zafar

May 06, 2014 06:50pm

IC is the person who refused to put pressure on the Election commission to process the pending petitions of PTI against Election rigging. The buck stopped with him, and he refused to act upon those claims despite the presence of strong evidence. Even the current elections in Afghanistan put to shame what we did in the name of elections in our country.

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Syed Ahmed

May 06, 2014 07:10pm

@ali ahmed Yes, he must be tried. If the new CJ reads these comments he must act forthwith.

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Chanpeer

May 06, 2014 07:19pm

Musharraf had reasons to sack him.

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Tariq, Lahore

May 06, 2014 08:46pm

Sir, you were not worthy of the office that you were entrusted with and your comments carry no weight!

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Ahmer

May 06, 2014 08:54pm

"He added that the 'absurd' allegations hurled by the PTI chief did not warrant a response." The ex CJP said this after more than responding to the allegations.

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Ahmer

May 06, 2014 08:57pm

Well. the fact remains that large scale rigging did take place, whoever masterminded it.

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Syed

May 06, 2014 09:03pm

This guy was a crook.

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Ali

May 06, 2014 09:29pm

Regardless of what IK is saying, this ex-CJP has done nothing to improve the judicial system in Pakistan. Allah gave him a wonderful opportunity but he did NOTHING. Primary responsibility of any manager is to improve his/her department which this ex-CJP never understood !!

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Harmony

May 06, 2014 09:49pm

@nadeem - quite right but the problem is corrupt people elect corrupt leaders.

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Abid

May 06, 2014 11:52pm

@Ashfaq " Rigging always happen in countries like India & Pakistan " .... And that's why India and Pakistan are still a third world county with million living way below the poverty line. When the mandate of people is stolen, corrupt politicians get to the top. .... and masses pay the price in form of hunger, poverty, poor healthcare & education, and lack of security.

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kirther

May 07, 2014 12:41am

Yes Judiciary is not questionable only if they act according to law but what about all those corrupt lower courts judges and officials who are known to take bribe and gratifications. What did you do to clean-up corrupt element from judicial system during you term--was anybody taken to task or removed from the position due to corruption charges-- now please don't say that bribe leaves no traces behind.

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AJamal

May 07, 2014 12:46am

Why did we deserve a person of Mr Chaudary's calibre, character, and competence as CJP?

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man

May 07, 2014 02:03am

@Ashfaq - there is a reason why we have punishments around the world so people dont do them again. if some one steals at your home and police says it happens alot in pakistan dont cry and move on how would you feel and i am sure it would have happened with you in pakistan as it is normal but this is not normal my friend the only time when this will stop is when you catch people put them in jail so next time people atleast think few times, do you remember times when people dont bother voting because it wont make a difference. let him take a stand, put some people behind bars set some example.

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MEDUSA

May 07, 2014 02:13am

Imran Khan's charges are based on one of many involving former CJ Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, who "made an unprecedented appearance at a lecture for returning officers before the general elections." Is this the kind of conduct befitting a Supreme Court Chief Justice while he's still holds the highest judicial seat in the land? Personally, millions of voters in Karachi who cast their vote for PTI, knew something was seriously wrong when PTI didn't receive the majority votes in this city and many other parts of the country had the same situation. IK's mistake was he took the party's fact based complaints of rigging to the Supreme Court which due to the former CJ's personal affiliation with Nawaz and GEO couldn't address the rigging in a fair and just manner. The CJ should have recused himself from this case due to a conflict of interest.

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Tariq

May 07, 2014 03:17am

Mr. CJs era will go down in the history books as a political judge with set of personal agendas, incompetent and arrogant dictator.I can only hope he realises it one day how he has harmed Pakistan.

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Fazal Rahmat

May 07, 2014 04:28am

Mr. Iftikhar Chudry, you saying "judiciary had been serving justice and would continue to do so", let me ask you, when you was Chief Justice of Pakistan, Transparency International calculated RS 8.5 trillion(94 billion US dollars) corruption from 2008- 2013. Corruption in PIA led to losses of around US $500.00. 26.5 Billion dollars scam in Steel mill, even FIA took the initiative, but you could not stand up against Rehman Malik. Is the justice serve in media-gate scandal in which your son was involved, ephedrine quota case, in which Gillian's son was involved, NICL Corruption case in which Makhdom Ameen Fahem and his whole family was involved? In a 2011 survey Transparency International identified judiciary as the most corrupt institution in Pakistan, if the corruption happens under your nose you couldn't see, how we expect that you looked over entire election process with an honest and unbiased eye.

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Shakil Khan

May 07, 2014 05:34am

Wow, I am astonished by so called "democrats" here, who says rigging is alright and its part of democracy to win by any means suitable so just move on! IK was very naive to believe that he could challenge through courts and expose and fix the rigging, he should have gone all out instead of accepting rigged elections right after may 11th 2013! Country couldnt have gone to chaos as Pakistan was already in chaos! He let his voters down by accepting rigged elections, even after a year its being taken up seriously, he should go till the end instead of accepting some more lollipops like KPK govt! If not, he will let his voters down again and will not survive as a potent force in Pakistan politics!

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Tamza

May 07, 2014 08:21am

Pakistan needs a Lebanon model of govt : rotating senior elected and appointed post: First layer: President PM CJ COAS etc/ Second layer: Speaker of national legislature/ some selected top ministers [FO Defense Treasury Education etc] Four provinces .. no two of these position can be from the same province and no province can repeat the position until the other three have cycled through.

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Syed A. Zafar USA

May 07, 2014 09:09am

@event horizon You are absolutely right. Your analysis is based on true observation and facts. Thanks.

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Injunjoe

May 07, 2014 11:32am

@Abid you guys have no idea about the progress in india in last 20 years

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Minuit

May 07, 2014 12:10pm

@Atam Vetta Remember old elections when BB lost. she too cried foul. Before this election their was a survey, which clearly indicated that IK is a favorite in KP . Yes their was a survey pointing to 30-35 seats to IK . Almost all indicators by that survey came true.. However , I do not agree, Z.A.Bhutto, BB were not from Punjab. PPP rule was very pathetic to say the least --depending on a Pir by Zardari , even to receive credentials from ambassadors --what do you expect people to do ? Have you seen when IK was injured --where was his medical team --how he was carried away -- that was the level of competence of management for Future PM? How he going to manage a nuclear armed country--send chills into my spine. Magic lies in 100% privatization -- and 100% education for masses. Don't expect heavenly interventions!

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ALLY WAQAR

May 07, 2014 12:15pm

CJ is the person who did not even know how his duffer son become multi-millionaire, rigging in May-13 elections may be too big for him to understand. He freed many alleged terrorist on insufficient evidence same applies on his son and elections too.

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KPK Wala

May 07, 2014 12:47pm

We hoped an Independent Judiciary as a result of the Lawyers' Movement and then it turned out that only Chaudhry Iftikhar got "independence" as a result. Really! That's what lawyers put theirselves through for? To restore an arrogant judge? That person poured water over Lawyers' Movement.

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Muhibullah

May 07, 2014 02:16pm

The only reason the former Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary is now being maligned is because he was the first person who tried to put curbs on the unlawful activities of the security & intelligence agencies. In an increasingly democratic country, "the boys" realize that they will soon lose the power to assassinate and "disappear" people at will and are desperately conducting a proxy war against people who stand for the rule of law.

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Nasir

May 07, 2014 02:36pm

Strange. The ex CJ calls it absurd even without listening the case he was supposed to.

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muhammad

May 07, 2014 06:08pm

@Ashfaq Democracy means representation of will of people and rigged democracy cannot be called a ture democracy it is callled a sham democracy and sahm democracy never deliver

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Azam Khan

May 08, 2014 06:30am

@Ashfaq, brother you sound so baseless, clueless & shallow.

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Azam Khan

May 08, 2014 06:32am

@JQ People like are the supporters of corruption in this country. Senseless comment.

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Azam Khan

May 08, 2014 06:36am

@Ajamal Your comment is very confusing. Are you supporting Nawaz-Iftikhar or making fun of them.

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Azam Khan

May 08, 2014 06:48am

@patriot Really ! are you sure my child ?

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Tariq K Sami

May 08, 2014 07:21am

So how come his son suddenly leaves government job and becomes a millionaire.

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A Pakistani

May 08, 2014 10:19am

He should shun away the habit of leveling allegations on others.

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A Pakistani

May 08, 2014 12:37pm

PTI must wait for four more years and allow current democratic Government to complete its development projects without interruption and distraction so that PTI could hold PML(N) accountable in the 2018 national elections. Our political leaders MUST allow out poor beloved country to develop in the best interest of common people through supporting the Democracy.

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abbas jaffri

May 08, 2014 09:04pm

@PakistanRocks in a corrupt and chaotic country like Pakistan where nothing works why should any sane person expect elections to be free of errors. Once we establish ourselves as a non corrupt nation then all this criticism will sound fair. Till then hold your breath.

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Mustafa

May 08, 2014 09:40pm

@Aussie "A cancer in the judicial system." You are missing the point. Cancer is the system. Surgical team is coming on 11th of May.

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Mustafa

May 08, 2014 10:08pm

@Tamza Are you aware that in Lebanon only a Christian can be president? Is that OK with you?

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sulman

May 10, 2014 03:39pm

Imran khan is the biggest disappointment in my life. I worshipped his for his cricket but he appears to be mentally corrupt. When he was called for contempt of court he apologised for his statement and on every interview said his statement was regarding judicial officers ROSE but when he retired he again open his gutter mouth and accusing him for rigging.

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