Conflicting reports emerge on Liaqat Ali Chatha's arrest as ECP rejects allegations and Punjab CM orders probe
- Police say they did not arrest Liaqat Ali Chatha.
- The electoral commission rejects the accusations.
- Punjab acting CM Naqvi orders probe.
RAWALPINDI: In a dramatic development, Rawalpindi Division Commissioner Liaqat Ali Chatha on Saturday tendered his resignation, which he said was out of “guilty conscience” for inciting large-scale electoral fraud in the garrison city, further raising more the political mercury in the country.
At a press conference at the Rawalpindi cricket stadium, Chatha announced that he would resign from his position, admitting that he had done injustice to the people of his city.
Rawalpindi Division has 13 seats in the National Assembly, in which 11 Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidates were successful, while the rest were secured by an independent candidate and the Pakistan People's Party ( PPP). The division also has 27 provincial seats, of which the PML-N won 15 and 11 independent seats.
Following his shocking revelations, police first said he had been arrested, but the Rawalpindi police spokesperson later rejected claims that the senior official had been detained.
The commissioner, in the rare press conference, took responsibility for the “rigging” that he claimed took place in Rawalpindi division. “We turned the losers into winners with a margin of 50,000 votes,” he said, turning himself in before the authorities.
“I apologize to my division's tellers,” he said, adding that his subordinates were crying over what they were ordered to do.
Chatha claimed that even today, election staff place fake stamps on ballot papers. “We have harmed the country […] He should be executed at Kachehri Chowk in Rawalpindi,” he lamented.
Emphasizing that he was under pressure from social media and overseas Pakistanis, the official revealed that he even attempted suicide this morning.
“It is not known who commits these crimes and who is behind them. 13 candidates for the National Assembly, who were losing, won by a margin of up to 70,000 votes,” he added.
Electoral commission rejects claims
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) rejected the claims of the Rawalpindi commissioner, stating that no official of the commission gave him any direction regarding the manipulation of the results.
According to a statement issued by the election authority, the commissioner of any division is neither a district returning officer, RO nor president, nor does he have any direct role in the conduct of an election.
“However, the election commission will conduct an investigation into the matter at the earliest,” the notification said.
Following the explosive allegations, interim Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi also took strict note of the matter and ordered an impartial inquiry into the allegations.
The CM ordered to form a high-level committee to investigate the allegations. He said an independent investigation would be carried out, adding that the facts would come to light.
'Psychopath'
Meanwhile, the Punjab government spokesperson also rejected the allegation of manipulation by the senior official.
speaking to Geographic newsThe acting Minister of Information, Amir Mir, stated that this is neither a revelation nor a confession of the crime, but rather a statement and an accusation to damage the credibility of the elections.
He said he strongly rejects the allegations made by Chatha.
Mir said that the person who talks about suicide can only be a psychopath and added that Chatha was heading towards retirement on March 13.
“Within a few weeks of his retirement, he is doing a political stunt. I think he wants to pursue a political career,” he added.
When asked about claims Chatha made about people working for him crying on election day, Mir said the media did not see anyone crying.
“The things you are saying, can a normal person make these claims? Especially a person who is appointed to the position of commissioner. Why didn't he come out on election day when all this was happening? Why did he remember this? 10 days after the elections?” she questioned.
Mir said that investigation into the matter will definitely be carried out.
“First of all, his mental health will be investigated. It must also be investigated how a person like this was appointed to such an important position,” he added.
'I stole the PTI mandate'
Responding to the claims, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Muhammad Khan said that the Rawalpindi commissioner today took an important step and his allegations prove that his mandate has been stolen.
“Our seats have been stolen from us and now our demand is simple. We want the Chief Justice to take suo motu note of this matter, the Election Commission should correct its mistake and our mandate should be returned to us,” he said while speaking to Geographic news.
Khan said that we had won 160-170 seats and added that his party does not trust CM Naqvi's investigation as everything happened under his nose.
Meanwhile, senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah said Chatha is one of his close friends and he was being treated for mental problems. “However, if something like that had happened, he would have told me,” he added.
Sanaullah, however, said allegations of manipulation should be investigated in all cases.
PPP demands investigation
Furthermore, PPP leader Sherry Rehman said that an investigation should be carried out into the serious allegations.
“The question that arises is whether the Rawalpindi commissioner's conscience woke up after 10 days,” he said.
“The commissioner said he was under pressure from social media and overseas Pakistanis,” the senator said, adding that his allegations have raised questions about the district-wide elections.
He said the commissioner should also provide proof of his accusations as he did not present any evidence.
“He also blamed the Chief Justice, which is beyond comprehension. The election commission should also explain what is happening,” the PPP leader said.
