NA-122: Imran testifies before Lahore election tribunal
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LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan arrived at an election tribunal in Lahore on Saturday to submit an evidence report to judge Kazim Ali Malik pertaining to alleged rigging in the May 2013 elections.
Speaking to media representatives outside the tribunal, Khan stated that evidence had been recorded in front of the judge, adding that he will decide on Monday whether the ballot bags will be opened or not.
The evidence was submitted against National Assembly speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq who had defeated Imran Khan in the NA-122 constituency during the election.
"We have provided all our evidence, and we have put our stance in front of them that all the evidence is in the the bags. Once they are inspected, everyone will know what happened in the elections," said the PTI chairman.
Khan also said that if he was in Ayaz Sadiq's position, he would not be worried if he was asked to get his ballot bags recounted. He said he would have allowed it and no one would have had to wait this long.
"I have won three seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; I wrote a letter to Speaker Ayaz Sadiq that if you want to open the ballot bags in the constituencies where I have one, you can."
An election tribunal had earlier 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.
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supporters chanted anti-Imran slogans and momentarily blocked the route for Khan's car. PTI supporters present at the site in return chanted anti-Nawaz slogans.
Earlier: Imran asked to testify
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.
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Comments (64) Closed
Dec 06, 2014 03:23pm
Ik leave your agitational politics.follow legal channels like this.
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Dec 06, 2014 03:32pm
@Dr chachar Agreed but catch is that IK has not got any evidence. He is in fact bluffing but getting exposed, as today's hearing before Election tribunal is very much depiction of bluffing.
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Dec 06, 2014 03:37pm
That's the way to go Khan Sb. Try to change the system from within. Do not try to be part of the problem but be a part of the solution. Great beginning. Go to courts and use all legal channels. Get a judicial commission with proper ToR's.You should and you will get justice IF the elections were rigged. This dharna & agitation will take you no where.
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Dec 06, 2014 03:38pm
@shuaib
Then government should quickly do a vote audit to expose his bluff but that won't happen as it will expose the fake government.
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Dec 06, 2014 03:39pm
@Dr chachar he has being begging the legal institutions since the outcome of last elections, but they have been muted by Sharif Holdings.
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Dec 06, 2014 03:41pm
@shuaib
Please be sensible and fair about this. If IK is bluffing then why not investigate it properly. People in Pakistan with vested interests continue to support criminals and mafia people like NS and Zardari without thinking of the long term effects for their country and future generations. Wake up and support the right people for your future generations otherwise fate of Pakistan is going to be like any other failed state. Just consider politicians like NS are in power off and on for the last twenty years and country is sliding down fast. There must be a reason for that while on the other hand future generations of these corrupt people are doing bussiness worth billions in other countries.
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Dec 06, 2014 03:41pm
Go or be gone
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Dec 06, 2014 03:51pm
@shuaib you are wasting your time somewhere mate, become a judge.
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Dec 06, 2014 03:53pm
@Dr chachar IK was looking for this legal way for this long but in vain. Now they had agreed to investigate it because the pressure is built from IK side.
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Dec 06, 2014 03:59pm
@Dr chachar
Really? The same legal process where when witnesses file an affidavit, the oath commissioner sitting on court premises is accused of being "fake" and the judges are requested to throw out this evidence?
You can fool some people some time; you can fool all people some time; you can fool some people all the time; BUT you cannot fool all the people all the time.
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Dec 06, 2014 04:00pm
@shuaib if he had evidence why didn't Imran Khan challenge all 35 'punctures' in court? He only challenged 12 of which 4 have been settled.
Which leaves 8 seats. He'll get those seats through the tribunals. Nawaz Sharif will not open them because then people will say Imran is right and everything was rigged even though it wasn't.
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Dec 06, 2014 04:04pm
As a resident of this constituency I can testify that IK had immense support in the election. There was no way that he could have lost considering the masses who voted for him.
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Dec 06, 2014 04:10pm
@Najeeb I do not understand from where or from which word you got this impression of, I am announcing a verdict. It is common sense................ which is not so common.
BTW, are you a Judge!! Treat these comments "without prejudice"
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Dec 06, 2014 04:12pm
@shuaib maybe or maybe not; his stance is simple just to open those four constituencies. I am not supporting him, the incumbent government rigid behavior has caste a doubt over their Electoral thumping victory.
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Dec 06, 2014 04:15pm
@Shuaib Bhat those four constituencies are of khawaja Saad Rafique, khawaja asif and ayaz sadiq - these are government stalwart and holding key positions if this is proven the government would be in a deep deep mess.
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Dec 06, 2014 04:15pm
@Kanwarch Very well said! 100% agree
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Dec 06, 2014 04:16pm
The whole process is ridiculous.
When and if the tribunal takes a decision, and it's been almost two years that it hasn't, the matter will then go to the High Court which would take a decision at its own pace, likely to be another two years. Then the case may either be reverted back to the lower court or move to the Supreme Court. By that time it would be time for the next elections.
Several tainted politicians who won the election in 2008 completed their terms despite rigging and other charges against them.
It's a total farce.
Instead of wasting our time it's far better to legalize rigging. Make it legal. Spare us the trouble!
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Dec 06, 2014 04:19pm
@John 100% Agree. The Judicial system in Pakistan is a joke. Everyone in the system is either corrupt or turning a blind eye to the corruption happening in front of them. This institution needs major reforms!!!
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Dec 06, 2014 04:21pm
@F Khan If you try to change the system from within, you need 50 years to make a change.
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Dec 06, 2014 04:26pm
@John Najam Sethi also tried to put a similar spin to the facts in his TV talk show.
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Dec 06, 2014 04:38pm
Imran Khan best of luck. I am not tgat optimist about outcomes. If the system itself is corrupt we cannot expect something trust worthy decision from oyr elite courts.
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Dec 06, 2014 04:51pm
We are a great nation!!
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Dec 06, 2014 05:01pm
@sid Our judicial system is sound.that is why ik is asking for judicial commission.we must refer our concerns to judiciary and do not take them to streets like ik and shah mahmood qureshi.
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Dec 06, 2014 05:37pm
@shuaib , if he is bluffing then open the bags and do the vote audit, what are they afraid of, call his bluff and ruin his reputation forever, it is a golden chance for PML(n), it is simple why not do it and get him out of the way since he is the biggest impediment in the way of so called PML style of progress.
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Dec 06, 2014 05:50pm
@MANSOOR: I understand from where you are coming. It got me 18 years to get my house vacated from a tenant. So if I get your theory I should hire 5 goons to get my house vacated or get the thana on my side by waxing their palm. That's the way our country is. We like it or not. My point is even after the dharan you still have to sit and talk and get the commission working.
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Dec 06, 2014 05:58pm
@Erudite I am sure your residency is confined to your room in your palatial house with a computer and a mouse
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Dec 06, 2014 06:00pm
@Erudite its exactly this kind of novice, rookie, and naive thinking that is part of the problem known as pti cult
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Dec 06, 2014 06:10pm
After all this delay, I expect the govt has already fiddled with all ballot boxes which PTI are querying wherever they are stored. We still rememember the school basement where ballot boxes wereswtored which was burnt a few months ago. The lying govt of NS will do anything to temper with stored ballot boxes.
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Dec 06, 2014 06:18pm
What is the hitch in opening the bags? No one should take refuge behind technical arguments. If Mr. Ayaz Sadiq is sure of no rigging in his election, why has he been trying to hide behind stay orders. The election tributals are supposed to reach conclusion in 120 days as per ECP mandate.
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Dec 06, 2014 06:23pm
@Shuaib Bhat If the government is not willing to investigate even 4 constituencies after almost 2 years now how do you expect them to let the investigations take place for the entire elections?
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Dec 06, 2014 06:26pm
With the massive support for IK in NA-122, there is no way he could have lost that constituency. For proof just open the bags please!!
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Dec 06, 2014 07:00pm
@sid shouldn't the presiding officer be punished? Also, even if rigging is proven it means fresh elections in those constituencies. They will not be automatically awarded to IK.
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Dec 06, 2014 07:14pm
Nothing will come out "just" for opposition out of election tribunal or any judicial verdict including police work out of Lahore which is well guarded by Shrif clan including Hamza Shahbaz too where Mr Imran Khan will be ridiculed at the end of the day! Case in question is when Election Commission indeed set up an enquiry for possible election fraud not long ago; Mr Ishaq Dar (note, a finance minister) came forward with the amazing findings blaming "the poor ink on ballot and 60+ year old grand father machine" which printed the ballots were the true culprits (hope both ink and machine are in jail now without bail); and not the manner election fraud occurred if any! It was superb con work to befool publuc as well as Mr Khan who's still crying out loud for justice!
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Dec 06, 2014 07:26pm
@Dr chachar haha there is no legal system its mafia
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Dec 06, 2014 07:32pm
Goodluck IK, With you to seek justice!
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Dec 06, 2014 07:50pm
Good Ik finally u doing the right thing same time do work in kp I met one of your supporter from kp he was unhappy
Also ask ec to make rule one candidate one location. Not one canditiate and running from 4-5 location since u want to fixthe
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Dec 06, 2014 07:50pm
@MANSOOR and to change it with dance parties you may need 5000 years. Maybe they should stick with 50 and start somewhere yea?
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Dec 06, 2014 07:59pm
Iam indian but I just wish to say one thing these all actors, players enjoy their youth playing, travelling doing all thinks which they can... They never sacrifice their luxurious life when at helm of their testisteron but when they retire they suddenly realise their patriotic genes....
They are fake they just can't live without limelight... B indian or pakistani story is just same
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Dec 06, 2014 08:03pm
@F Khan
You think these tenants were gonna be able to occupy Zardaris or sharif brothers house for 18 years? Or even 18 weeks ?
Forget about sharif and Zardari , what about any of their ministers house??
Took you 18 years ! And I do believe that because that has happened in our family too -- that unfortunately -- the tenants were connected well and house had to be sold to them for real cheap . Courts couldn't do any thing and police - you know --- is there any other way for these kings of injustices ?
Pakistans law is --- jis kee laathi , uss kee bhainse ---
In my view , not to speak up against this unjust system is also criminal.
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Dec 06, 2014 08:08pm
The fraudsters fighting to the last. Ayaz Sadiq, brush up your CV and start looking. Once the matter is heard for any PML-N candidate, the game is up.
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Dec 06, 2014 08:10pm
keep it up one day your struggle will bear fruits i tell u!!
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Dec 06, 2014 08:12pm
@MANSOOR
50 years ! And then there are no guarantees --- it may be even worse ( not that it's not extremely unjust system already )
There are parasites within the system that are eating away the roots. And if you go deep in the system try to fix it --- these parasites will not let you survive . Unless you become one of them.
You think these parasites , the likes of Zardari , Rehman Malik , sharif brothers and co will let you change the system from within ? Unfortunately their roots have become very strong -- simple medicine is not gonna work on them --- they need a surgical cure !
And for that matter -- there are parasites along IK too ( but few )
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Dec 06, 2014 08:17pm
@Shuaib Bhat
Those 4 seats are tip of the iceberg my friend. And that's why NS does not want to open the Pandora's box.
If those 4 are proven rigged and I'm saying if ! Then speaker will have to go for one and that will cast major doubts on the rest and will be checked.
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Dec 06, 2014 08:23pm
@Dr chachar You call this legal channel. Two years and waiting. There are still petitions pending for cases against the 2008 elections. These cases were supposed to be decided in 120 days - what about that? What about your candidate hiding behind stay orders for a year. Stay against what! That in my definition is the intent to not provide justice. All illegal!
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Dec 06, 2014 08:27pm
@Janu Not-German Yes, everyone voted for IK, but this no name PMLN candidate was supported by the angels who were sent especially to declare him the winner.
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Dec 06, 2014 08:31pm
@Janu Not-German Did you not see the packed Minar-e-Pakistan Jalsa of Imran Khan recently which had people from all segments of society or do you have a short memory?
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Dec 06, 2014 08:41pm
@Faisal Bajwa
True
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Dec 06, 2014 08:42pm
@Erudite Yuppp As they say, "Saavan kay Andhay ko Hara hi soujhta hay" :-)
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Dec 06, 2014 08:42pm
@Imran Khan
Agree with you.
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Dec 06, 2014 08:47pm
Dr Chachar appears to be living with his head buried in the sand !! IK has been asking for legal redress for almost one and a half years and has not got it and hence his current approach. Is this too difficult for Dr Chachar to understand???
If their hands are clean and all is hunky dory why is the PML-N refusing to open the boxes of the 4 constituencies that the PTI has been demanding from day one?? What are they hiding?? If all was well they could have opened the boxes and shown IK that he was talking out of his hat !!
The PML-N is blaming IK for the alleged economic losses being incurred by the country due to the sit-ins, etc. Don't the PML-N and their supporters realize that THEY are to blame for the losses, if any, being incurred due to their unexplained stubbornness??
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Dec 06, 2014 08:49pm
Imran Khan has been making the allegation for more than a year. No body listened to him. If Imran is wrong then prove it by counting the votes. If there is no rigging, Imran will be a big loser. So, open the bags and count.
I say, even if Imran does not have majority vote in recount, but there is foul play, election has to be declared invalid.
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Dec 06, 2014 08:50pm
Not interested in the cricketer at all. Period. Why waste valueable time in discussing him.
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Dec 06, 2014 08:54pm
Is he NOT the same guy, who just the other day, was saying "I actually don't want NS to resign just yet, 'cuz I am in the middle of creating awareness in Pakistani away" :-)
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Dec 06, 2014 09:50pm
Lies, lies and more lies, Imran Khan enough with lies and stories, please give tangible proofs and evidences.
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Dec 06, 2014 10:07pm
Why NS not go for national re-election?
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Dec 06, 2014 10:46pm
IK is just asking to recount 4 constituencies it is his right to recount. Why court needed evidence to recount votes? same tribunals and courts are declaring the victories where PML-N candidates challenged the election result like in NA 215 PML-N candidate won the case of election rigging. Why not its going same with PTI?
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Dec 06, 2014 11:06pm
If the proofs were in bags then what IK was showing to the world or saying to the world?. that he has evidences, where are those?. In bags? Great
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Dec 06, 2014 11:36pm
He is the one and the only Imran Khan who has the guts and the grit to appear before the so-called election tribunal to submit an evidence in person on face-to-face basis to the judge regarding the May 2013 election rigging in the "land of the pure."
Is there any other politician or a so-called leader who can do so? The answer is left to the enlightened, educated, enduring and excelling readers and writers of this great DAWN forum.
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Dec 06, 2014 11:47pm
@Dr chachar If there was a equal law and proper legal process in Pakistan, we would not be in this situation today.
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Dec 06, 2014 11:51pm
@shuaib ...well the simple way out is to count those ballot papers and prove him wrong ,once for all. I am sure he will quit his Dharna and go home. If he is right and rigging is proved then the government along with the new CEC should open other constituencies . Eventually , it might end up in fresh elections.
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Dec 07, 2014 12:07am
@shuaib ...I don’t him IK bluffing, If Ayaz Sadiq didn’t have anything to hide, and then why he took extension from the court?
Only dishonest people who are scared do these kind of things. He should have agreed to re-count from day he was accused of cheating. Ayaz Sadiq had ample time to solve this issue without going to court, but he thought IK was bluffing.
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Dec 07, 2014 01:08am
He does not remember anything . WOW great evidence
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Dec 07, 2014 01:19am
Around the world, the onus is always on the defendant (in this case PML-N) to prove that they are "not" guilty. But here the situation is reversed, they are asking the plaintiff (in this case PTI) to provide proof. This does not make sense, because PTI is not an investigation agency.
PTI has a good case based on the long history of rigged elections in Pakistan. Also women constitute 52% of votes, and most (if not all) women voted for PTI. It does not makea any sense that PTI would lose in 2013 elections.
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Dec 07, 2014 02:16am
@shuaib and Dr Chacher If you call it a bluff then call and see if IK has three aces or 245. Open up and recount the votes, but I think it is too late now. Agitation is the only way now. make it as everything has already been broken. I keep saying this do you'll have a choice accept for IK name one please.
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