ISLAMABAD: The judicial commission on Thursday directed the leadership of ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement to submit a response by April 25 regarding rigging allegations in the 2013 elections filed by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-i-Islami (JI).

The three-member commission headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk also directed the officials of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to preserve and secure any document related to the general elections of May 2013. This was directed by the commission after PTI Lawyer Abdul Hafeez Pirzada showed apprehensions that important documents regarding the general elections may be lost.

The commission also set a deadline for Saturday April 25 for all the concerned parties to file the list of evidences, witnesses to be questioned, supporting documents and any other material.

However, the commission made it clear that only those witnesses will be called for questioning whom it deems necessary. The parties were also directed by the commission to assist in the inquiry to formulate methods for further proceedings.

The commission also directed parties to assist the inquiry in formulating modalities for further proceedings. The commission will hold its next meeting on Monday.

Also read: Hearing of judicial commission on alleged rigging adjourned for a week

The judicial commission was formed earlier this month, following the Ordinance issued by President Mamnoon Hussain to proceed with the formation of a judicial commission which would investigate allegations of poll rigging, a demand made by PTI during the party's 126-day-long sit-in in Islamabad last year.

Chief government negotiator Ishaq Dar had said the commission would determine whether or not the last general elections truly reflected the will of the people, preferably within 45 days.