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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has demanded that the Supreme Court begin investigations into allegations of rigging in the 2013 elections and complete them within one month, under the supervision of retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid.
Addressing the participants of the sit-in at D-Chowk on Thursday, he said, “We are not ready to accept investigations supervised by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, but will accept them if they are headed by the Supreme Court.”
The PTI chief said the government should nominate individuals equally acceptable to the PTI and the government to investigate the rigging allegations. “We will call off the sit-in if the allegations are not proven. But if they are, we will not leave without the resignation of the prime minister,” he said.
Mr Khan said the government should set up a judicial commission through the Supreme Court under the supervision of people such as Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid, whose reputation was impeccable.
Praises Narendra Modi for being ‘faithful’ to Indian people
The PTI will continue the sit-in during the month while investigations are carried out, he added.
Earlier, Imran Khan said new provinces were not the solution to the problems plaguing Pakistan. “Everyone is calling for a separate province but more provinces won’t change anything.”
He claimed that the government was set to increase gas prices but had dropped the plan out of fear of the protesting PTI. He added that the government was also planning to increase electricity prices by Rs1.50 per unit.
He again claimed credit for the government’s decision to lower fuel prices, saying that it was the protesting PTI that forced the government’s hand in this case.
Talking about people with assets in foreign countries, the PTI chief said that much had been said about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but he must be appreciated for making public a list of 627 Indians with assets in foreign countries.
“Whatever you say about him, he is a faithful man,” Mr Khan said of the Indian prime minister.
Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2014
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Comments (43) Closed
Nov 07, 2014 09:26am
Inshallah, justice will prevail.
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Nov 07, 2014 09:33am
This is what I have been saying all along. To have an independent inquiry. If NS is guilty he is forced to resign, his assets frozen and investigated, and given a one way ticket to Saudi.
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Nov 07, 2014 09:40am
U turn Khan is back. Next end to dharna with no PM resignation.
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Nov 07, 2014 09:50am
You can stay in Islamabad in some container as long as you want, who cares! There should not be any probe into 2013 election, period.
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Nov 07, 2014 09:50am
Ik is 100% right.
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Nov 07, 2014 10:05am
If rigging confirmed through judicial commission , NS should resign and bring back his assets. At the same time parliament and senate should resign. A national govt should be formed up from all deans of Universities of Pakistan. No retired judge, no retired general be included in National govt.
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Nov 07, 2014 10:08am
LOL Khan Sb thandey ho rahey hain. Mein ne to suna tha k 'Nwaaaazzz Shreeeeeef ke hotey hue koi investigation nahi ho saktiiii'!
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Nov 07, 2014 10:13am
@Lucky Star U seem to be the culprit! r u
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Nov 07, 2014 10:27am
Star Khan is sitting there till he takes resignation, he knows if investigation is launched, the PM is going forever, laughing out loud.
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Nov 07, 2014 10:36am
@Canada and if IK is guilty, lock his Bani Gala palace and send him to his masters at GHQ :-)
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Nov 07, 2014 10:44am
U turn, U turn, U turn
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Nov 07, 2014 10:46am
It is wishful thinking as Nawaz has steadfastly refused audit of 4 seats in obtaining stay orders of favourable court an abuse of process with Court being made a Party to it. if Imran were to adopt this route, he should not accept a judicial commission other than one chaired by three Supreme Court Judges upon condition of full Government cooperation giving complete and unequivocal powers to the Judicial Committee to make an independent enquiry with ECP or Nadra, returning officers if necessary or people who made tall claims of 35 punctures. Anyone found wanted by the Commission should be on oath and remain sworn until enquiries are completed and its finding made public. In addition even without such a demand, the Court has wider discretionary powers to order such an audit under its supervision when a political party with massive following has rejected election results.
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Nov 07, 2014 10:52am
On a side note, Mr. Khan is wrong about the fact that more provinces would not solve anything. If the experience with local bodies system has shown anything, it has shown that devolution of authority to smaller units has been the single most important factor behind development. Look at Karachi with local bodies (MQM or JI in control doesn't seem to make a difference) vs. under the PPP provincial government. About 20 provinces are required (one for each major city and then 3-4) for the other areas of each current province.
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Nov 07, 2014 11:03am
@Canada
If NS is found guilty, why would you want him to leave the country? Justice demands all convicts be punished.
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Nov 07, 2014 11:29am
@Ali One of the Punishments of Theft in Islam is Hands cut off, if even one Politician would get that punishment this crime would reduce significantly. Democratic system takes such criminals to court and from there they find plenty of escape routes. Islamic system prevents such.
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Nov 07, 2014 11:54am
U-turn after u-turn after u-turn, when will PTI's drama, sorry I meant dharnas end. The central belief system of PTI is to Claim all the good (I.e. Petrol price drops) things happening in the country while blaming others for anything negative, throwing allegations without any proof and wasting time. Instead of pushing for electoral reforms through the parliament you resign and accomplish nothing except weaken the currency, promote idiotic ideals such as civil disobedience, and demand a reelection because you didn't win. PTI doesn't want more provinces because it can't even handle the one it does well did have. Sit in your container till 2018 and get your party back in order first. IK says one thing and Shah Mehmood another. And please if there are by elections in kpk don't run because it's the same corrupt election system in play, just forewarning you because you have a habit of shooting yourself in the foot, ever since you went power hungry.
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Nov 07, 2014 11:54am
The investigation should start immediadtiatly at least it will confirm that PML N has rigged the election.
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Nov 07, 2014 11:59am
@PTI Workers United this what hoping for infact it will be other way around in the end Mr.PM will have to resign.
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Nov 07, 2014 12:08pm
@Lucky Star why shouldn't be there any probe Mr. Lucky Star you don't want the truth to be out and Mr. PM will be forced to resign.
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Nov 07, 2014 12:12pm
I agree with IK that there should be a SC supervised probe by a judge of repute acceptable to both PTI and PMLN. NS should NOT resign, why should he resign till the findings of the probe is not decided. Dharna may continue, it has lost its significance anyway. IK should make a public statement that if the SC declares that there was no massive rigging which should have changed the outcome of the 2013 elections he will accept it and the issue should be considered closed. If the SC decides that there was evidence that there was substantial rigging that could have changed the outcome of the election and the present government then NS should resign and a new election should be declared immediately. SC should also suggest means as to how the election process could be transparent and rigging free, like digital voting machines etc.
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Nov 07, 2014 12:16pm
No probes. No resignation. No compromise. Go home and think about some other line of work like cleaning etc.
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Nov 07, 2014 12:27pm
A sensible demand by PTI. inshallah Justice will prevail sooner than later.Our courts should fulfill their obligatory duties to provide justice. not to favor so called VIPs.
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Nov 07, 2014 12:51pm
At least IK has the guts to speak truth in public. He is a brave person and InshAllah Allah will reward for what he has taken stand for. The only ones opposing IK are the beneficiaries of this corrupt society and doesn't want the people of Pakistan to prosper and to make independent decisions. I am not from his party nor any connection's but any sane Pakistani can see the wrath these corrupt leaders have caused to the people of Pakistan without any shame and fear of Allah. If in any case IK dint perform or turn out to be like these conventional politicians, his fate will be the same as any other leader.
IK be patient, Allah is the best judge and justice will prevail sooner or later.
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Nov 07, 2014 12:55pm
IK stick to Pakistan and its issues, don't delve into Indian politics, this faithful man has the blood of thousands of Muslims on his hand, your own co-coreligionist, who dies for worshiping the same Almighty you do. You are dangerously close to PML-N \sell out' policy on India. Praise those who have stuck to their religion despite being surrounded by non believers.
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Nov 07, 2014 01:04pm
I appreciate all the views expressed here and would like to add something here. I just don't understand why IK has agreed to inquiry under the supervision of the SCourt.
IK not long time ago had expressed his extreme distrust and frustration with the judiciary as an institution. Now all of as sudden he has again agreed to involve SCourt. What will IK DO IF SC DECLARES NAWAZ SHARIF INNOCENT IN THIS CASE AND DECLARES the 2013 elections the most transparent in Pakistan's history. Don't forget it's Pakistan. The track record of Pakistan's Judiciary since 1956 is not that impressive and nothing much has changed after lawyer's movement. Unless PTI has some how accessed someone who might have given PTI guarantee that the outcome will be clear, open, and transparent inquiry involving SCourt at this stage does not make sense.
It also does not make sense when SCourt has already dismissed the petitions challenging the legitimacy of 2013 elections in order to give continuity to the legal process. Will SCourt be humble enough to to revisit its judgement on 2013 elections if during the inquiry finds that elections were not fair.
Apparently no one in Pakistan thinks that anything is flawed if foundation of dysfunctional democracy is laid on rigged elections. Except IK, the standing of our leaders and political parties on 2013 and reluctance to take corrective measures reflects the corrupt, dual standards, and selfishness of our political leadership.
IK trust on judiciary as an institution is highly misplaced.
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Nov 07, 2014 01:21pm
I wonder when people talk about U turn Khan. I also wonder why still people are supporting Status qou parties when everyone know that they are not able to bring the country on right track. We should not think about our personel benefits instead as a whole for our country and its people. Presently I see only one hope and that is IK.
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Nov 07, 2014 01:31pm
Now that Dharna crowd is gone why should anyone care what Imran khan wants. He might as well demand Obama's resignation too
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Nov 07, 2014 01:41pm
IK claims to be a leader who is the real representative of the people of Pakistan. Does Judiciary as an institution including Supreme Court of Pakistan genuinely delivers justice to all sections of our society especially the poor and marginalized section of the Pakistani society. I am damn confident that most of us even a blind person knows the effectiveness of judiciary.
If judiciary cannot render justice to poor and needy of this country then how it can render justice to IK.
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Nov 07, 2014 01:42pm
In the ‘LAND OF PURE” everyone who sits in a position of authority believes that he has the right to be treated preferentially and the “LAW” is nothing but what he believes so. From the Member of Parliament, SP sahib, DC sahib, Commissioner Sahib, Secretary Sahib, tehsildar Sahib, patwari Sahib, naib qasid Sahib, and the list goes on. There has been a recent addition to the above list i.e. JUDGE SAHIB, Wakeel Shahib. Tehrik Insaf after all has restorted to Dharna when no one gave a fair hearing to Tehrek e Insaf at any forum including the corridors of justice.
I will not comment on the justice that they hand over to the public lest I might be convicted of contempt of court, but wonder in utter shock and disappointment that the Chief Justice of Pakistan and Chief Justice of the provinces sit blind on the involvement of one District and Sessions Judge, D.I. Khan, Mr. Mohammad Rauf Khan of Karak. It’s not difficult to gauge the quality of justice that will be delivered in the corridors of justice.
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Nov 07, 2014 01:44pm
Again the said Honourable Justice was a Justice from District D. I. Khan and was influenced by Mr. Mohammad Rauf District and Sessions Judge D. I. Khan.
In the specific instance that I have explained, the conduct of the KP High Court is forcing the parties to resort to blood-shed because the High Court does not want to do justice. I wish that the golden words that the Chief justices utter at the Bar Association ceremonies apply it to themselves and fix their own house in order. The author having legal background is very well aware of the mess and rampant corruption in the corridors of Justice. One wonders that if it is so difficult to be heard against a District and Sessions Judge it won’t be a rocket science to understand what would be the fate of petition filed in Supreme Judicial Council.
The moral of the story is that the sense of entitlement to be treated preferentially (even though he might not deserve it) is a strong deeply embedded feature of Pakistan’s culture.
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Nov 07, 2014 02:05pm
It would be better if IK does not mention PM Modi because IK seems to twist facts. Modi like most Indian politicians is constitutionalist and follows the rules. When during the recent Haryana elections he publicly requested the Indian Election Commission (EC) to declare an action of the Congress Government of Haryana regarding the land deals of Mr Vadra, the son in law of the Congress President Sonia Gandhi, the EC rebuked the Indian PM publicly by saying no action is needed. There was not a squeak from PM Modi. There was no protest or sit in against the decision. He also declined to divulge names of Swiss and German bank account holders because these names were supplied on a confidential basis and could be disclosed only to a Court. When ordered by the SC he supplied the list. SU did not see the list and handed it over to the Investigators. IK could learn from Modi how corruption issues should be dealt with. He should consider the possibility of heeding the Bollywood advice; "Roney ko tou duniya roti hai, Roney ka Tarika Hota hai".
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Nov 07, 2014 02:40pm
What Mr. IK praises Modi for being faithful?...China visited India to give $50 Billion loans and Modi is faithful?..Nd why now mr Khan commission for investigation?, when Nawaz announced its formation before the start of your adventure in Lahore and you refused...u forgot..so what has changed now that led u to accept this?...Is this weakening dharna or disinterest of people in your Dharna?
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Nov 07, 2014 02:43pm
U-Turn Khan Indeed..I often wonder y he is always taken to situation where he has to take U-Turn..Immaturity perhaps?
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Nov 07, 2014 03:31pm
@Lucky Star Well true! No body should care about IK, but everyone should care about Pakistan. Probing the election is in Pakistan's interest, as it will set a precedence for future so no one can think of rigging. I dont care what comes out of probe, all i care is justice should be done and revealed, regardless of PTI, PMLN or PPP. I have read so many comments of yours, all your comments put PMLN over Pakistan, which is what needs to be changed. Nothing wrong having allegiance to one party, but we need to learn to criticise our party when it comes to Pakistan. Otherwise our leaders will remain like they are today, not loyal to the country. We need to learn to live for our country and our countrymen, not just for ourselves,
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Nov 07, 2014 04:25pm
SC should conduct an investigation into rigging. Govt shud resign if systematic rigging is proven as per IK's allegations and those involved shud b punished. On the other hand, if IK's allegations against the likes of Iftikhar Chaudhry, Najam Sethi, Justice Ramday, etc are unproven, then he shud go to jail for defamation. Besides, IK, TUQ and other PATPTI supporters shud sell their houses and pay for the damage caused to economy and the totally fruitless pursuit.
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Nov 07, 2014 04:28pm
Nawaz has left for China to invite them to invest in Pakistan ans here is Mr. IK..Zero performance in KPK...no industry at all and telling other persons how the govt. should be run....Nawaz is inviting investment and IK is saying that this is Loan...looks like finance books have to be changed forever and............new theory should be developed which says that............ Foreign Direct Investment is loan and should be discouraged..This concept is introduced by IK!!!! Forget what other professionals have said about it...From future we have to kick out Telenor and other foreign companies as they are taking away huge profits from Pakistan and doing nothing...
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Nov 07, 2014 05:01pm
After almost 3 months get back to square one. Well Mr Khan you showed us again what are you capable of; Chaos, anarchy
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Nov 07, 2014 05:20pm
@PTI Workers United Don't worry about it. He will not budge from the principled demand. End to dharna without PM resignation or independent investigation of the general election can be someone's wishful thinking
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Nov 07, 2014 07:59pm
The most powerful person in Pakistan, no other than Mr. Imran Khan, has demanded that the Supreme Court begin investigations into allegations of rigging in the 2013 elections and complete them within one month, under the supervision of retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid. Who else in Pakistan has power to dictate to Supreme Court what to do?
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Nov 08, 2014 05:37pm
@PTI Workers United
Its not about a U-turn, its about adjusting strategies.
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Nov 08, 2014 05:39pm
@Lucky Star Its amazing how much apathy a few people have. Here you have a guy who is taking a principled stand in the face of a nepostic and corrupt system, Imran Khan deserves our respect.
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Nov 08, 2014 05:44pm
@Jahangir Khan China has been investing billions in Pakistan for years, but these billions are worthless in this corrupt system. Pakistanis need to wake up from this old time beggar mindset. The house is not in order.
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Nov 08, 2014 05:45pm
After Tariq Malik's sacking. It emerged that someone had broken into NADRA's office and tampered with the ballot boxes of seat NA-118 (Lahore) which was at the centre of the rigging allegations. The boxes had been moved to NADRA so that the votes could be thumb verified, as demanded by the PTI, but had instead been tampered with.
The election commission confirmed that there was a "typing error" on NA-68. PM Nawaz Sharif's winning seat, it emerged that the PM had received only 779 votes rather than 7879 as originally recorded.
All of these findings were announced a whole year after PTI had demanded an investigation. Imran Khan deserves our respect, this is the first time i've seen a party demand transparency. Every other party has a vested interest in keeping the corrupt practices going...the degree of apathy is a moral shame, and frankly disgusting.
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