“Anyone can make accusations, but it is necessary to support them with evidence,” says the senior judge
Rawalpindi Divisional Commissioner Liaqat Ali Chatha's shocking revelations about alleged massive fraud during the February 8 general elections took the internet by storm.
In a dramatic development, the commissioner tendered his resignation, which he said was out of “guilty conscience” for inciting electoral fraud in the garrison city, further raising the political mercury in the country.
Reacting to his statement, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa demanded proof of his involvement in rigging the February 8 elections after the commissioner leveled serious allegations against the chief judge and other authorities.
Categorically rejecting allegations that he was in any way involved with the commissioner, real estate tycoon Malik Riaz said he had never met Chatha and offered cooperation for investigations into the matter.
Pakistan's former ambassador to the United Nations, Maleeha Lodhi, said: “Commissioner Rawalpindi's claims about election rigging are a bombshell.”
On his country move forward.”
In his opinion, the crisis worsened with the resignation of the commissioner.
Journalist Zarrar Khuhro asked that the commissioner be respected for “bravely speaking the truth.”
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Qasim Khan Suri said Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa should resign following the commissioner's allegations.
PML-N's Hanif Abbasi rejected the allegations and said the commissioner tried to destabilize Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) rejected the claims made by the commissioner, stating that no official of the commission gave him any direction regarding the manipulation of the results.
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.
Responding to the claims, PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan said that the commissioner took an important step today 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.
Pakistan People's Party leader Sherry Rehman said 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.
