Probe into poll rigging: Sethi wants JC to hear him first

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Probe into poll rigging: Sethi wants JC to hear him first

Zulqernain Tahir Published April 10, 2015

LAHORE: Former caretaker Punjab chief minister and anchor Najam Sethi has written a letter to the three-member judicial commission auditing the 2013 general elections to start its investigation from summoning him as he is eager to respond to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan’s allegations against him.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Nasirul Mulk is heading the inquiry commission to investigate the alleged rigging in May 2013 elections. Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan are the other two judges on the first-ever special judicial commission of the Supreme Court.

“I have great confidence in the impartiality of this commission, and I request it to place the allegations leveled by Imran Khan against me as ‘agenda number one’ of this commission to be investigated immediately,” Najam Sethi requested in the letter.

Also read: Rigging probe: Judicial commission to conduct public hearings from April 16

He said the nation had reposed trust in the institution of the Supreme Court to ascertain the fact whether or not the 2013 elections were free and fair and in accordance with the TORs of the Ordinance governing this judicial commission.

“I would like to submit to this honourable commission some facts which may help it come to some concrete conclusion.

....Unfortunately, over a year after the elections, the PTI and Imran Khan have scandalized and maligned me for allegedly rigging the elections and a malicious and false story was concocted in the name of `35 Punctures’ to discredit me. No evidence, direct or indirect, has been presented at any forum or in the media. Meanwhile, I have sued Imran Khan for defamation but he has refused to appear in court and provide evidence in this regard.”

Mr Sethi further said that the campaign had damaged his reputation and grievously engaged him in political controversies. “I am ready to testify before this commission whenever desired”.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2015

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Zulqernain Tahir is a political correspondent for Dawn with over 20 years of experience, currently covering political and governance issues with a focus on uncovering financial scams. He can be found on X at @zulqerr.

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ysk

Apr 10, 2015 07:29am

Good on you ... lets have real evidence, enough of populist statements from every nook

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Owais Mangal

Apr 10, 2015 07:45am

All of a sudden, Mr. Sethi? Why you didn't publish your reservations when allegations were made?

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ali ahmed

Apr 10, 2015 08:54am

good move by Sethi...Naizi should be exposed..

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the reluctant fundamentalist

Apr 10, 2015 09:18am

@ali ahmed: Its Niazi...and guilty people usually make the first move.

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afzaal

Apr 10, 2015 09:33am

fairly probing the rigging in 2013 election is a dire need of the judicial commission

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Chishti

Apr 10, 2015 09:36am

and now what IK?

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Sajjad Khan

Apr 10, 2015 09:38am

This is not a democratic set up as in any functioning democracy there would have been an immediate probe in to allegations and not two years after the fact. There would be no outcome Imran Khan!!!!!!!

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Noori

Apr 10, 2015 10:45am

Mr. Sethi was confident that JC will not become a reality and now he rushed towards it to probe allegations over him. It is time to unstitch 35 punctures. Mr. Sethi is afraid that probe into election rigging could threaten his ICC chairmanship. I feel sorry for poor Sethi.

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Aaqil

Apr 10, 2015 10:45am

Sethi saheb is on record having said that he was appointed as caretaker without his wish or consent. Is that possible in any way ? No, he or any one else can not /never be appointed without full consent...this is for sure. This shows how much honesty can be expected while replying to allegations against him.

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salman

Apr 10, 2015 10:46am

Why is sethi trying to maneuver the commission.

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adnan

Apr 10, 2015 10:57am

Good. morality platform stands very little chance in politics. now PTI has chosen it themselves, its not the fault or problem of others. play the game and win if you can. don't yell rigging rigging everywhere and every-time when you look at KPK development govt websites they also show roads and fly overs and ring road highway ramps etc. this is how it is done in world. Public spending is also important to spur economy. old wine new bottle

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Sufian

Apr 10, 2015 11:06am

damaged his reputation? All he is getting is jobs not on merit. First PCB now ICC, who is he ? some angel of management?

Recommend 0

Apr 10, 2015 11:11am

Yes please, and why you are at it, please also explain you qualification, or merit, to be the head of PCB, and now maybe even the ICC.

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Viking Star

Apr 10, 2015 11:27am

Mr. Sethi! Your own tyre got punctured with formation of JC or what? You can not dictate commission to go by your wishes. Have patience, you will be called when your turn comes. So just sit quiet until then.

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Ahmed

Apr 10, 2015 11:29am

If proven guilty, he should be made an example.

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jonney

Apr 10, 2015 12:13pm

How he became a chief minister and then cricket chief.

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Gul Pasha

Apr 10, 2015 12:16pm

Finally time for Mr Khan to play the tape or say sorry.

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azeem

Apr 10, 2015 12:17pm

@Ahmed and If not then IK must be an example!!!!!!!!!!!

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azmat

Apr 10, 2015 01:37pm

"He said the nation had reposed trust in the institution of the Supreme Court to ascertain the fact whether or not the 2013 elections were free and fair and in accordance with the TORs of the Ordinance governing this judicial commission". Well at least he believes that the formation of JC reflects the wishes of the nation. Otherwise until now he was not in favour of a JC. Is this a U turn :)))

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responsible

Apr 10, 2015 02:22pm

It is very difficult to find the fraud which is done with collusion. I don't think that commission will get anything. But on grounds when you ask every body whether or not the rigging was done? They reply in yes and also say that majority of the people sit in parliament won their seat through rigging. I don't see that commission will be able to get something from 45 days exercise. It would be a fruit less exercise I think the same process will also be repeated in next elections as well and nobody will be able to do anything.

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Tariq, Lahore

Apr 10, 2015 03:01pm

Our appointed leaders' have lost the concept, principle of honesty, fairplay and what's best in the national interest! Once these principles are ingrained back in the psyche of our nation we shall have regained humanity!

Recommend 0

Shiza

Apr 11, 2015 08:15am

Imran Khan should provide proofs Or say goodbye to politics

Recommend 0

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