LAHORE: An election tribunal on Saturday directed Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan to testify in support of his allegations of rigging in NA-122 by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
Earlier, six witnesses presented by the petitioner side, were cross-examined by Mr Sadiq’s counsel. The witnesses were polling agents of the PTI who, in their written statements, alleged that they were forcefully expelled from the polling booths by the presiding officers. They alleged that the presiding officers spoiled the ballot-papers by stamping on tiger, election symbol of ruling PML-N. The witnesses said they protested the ‘unfairness’ but to no avail.
Mr Sadiq’s counsel Barrister Asjad Saeed pointed out that an FIR was already lodged against the ‘fake’ oath commissioner who attested the affidavits of Mr Khan’s witnesses. He said the affidavits should not be made part of the case record.
Advocate Anees Hashmi, the counsel for Imran Khan, said to check validity of an oath commissioner was not the job of applicants. He said the authorities concerned should take action against the ‘fake’ oath commissioners working on court premises.
The tribunal member, Kazim Ali Malik, adjourned hearing till Dec 6 and asked Imran to appear in person to record his statement.
In his petition, Mr Khan had alleged that Ayaz Sadiq rigged the 2013 election.
Member of Faisalabad election tribunal Javed Rasheed Mahboobi on Saturday adjourned hearing of a petition moved by PTI’s Hamid Khan against railways minister Saad Rafiq, elected from NA-125. The tribunal directed counsels for both sides to come up with arguments on Dec 8.
The tribunal member visited office of the Punjab election commissioner (Lahore) to hold proceedings on Hamid Khan’s petition. Mr Khan had expressed distrust on then member of the Lahore election tribunal and the case was transferred to Faisalabad tribunal.
Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2014
