PML-N, MQM submit replies to judicial commission

By
AFP
|
PML-N, MQM submit replies to judicial commission
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) submitted their replies to the judicial commission formed to probe alleged rigging during the 2013 general elections on Saturday.

During its third hearing on Thursday, the commission had issued notices to the ruling PML-N and MQM with the direction to file their replies, if they so desired, in response to the allegations of rigging leveled against them by the PTI and JI by April 25 till 12 noon.

The PML-N in its reply stated the PTI had been complaining of election rigging for two years and the commission was formed on the party’s demand. Despite this the PTI has failed to submit any concrete evidence to the commission. The reply further states that most PTI candidates had accepted their defeat in the election and only five per cent approached the election tribunals.

The reply submitted by the MQM states PML-N, PPP and PTI committed rigging by spending over the allocated limit on their election campaigns. The MQM stated that the record of election campaign expenses of these parties should be summoned. The MQM also alleged that PTI leader Arif Alvi had fled with a ballot box during the election in NA-250. The MQM stated that rigging allegations against them were baseless.

The PML-Q submitted a list of 32 witnesses which included former Chief Justice Supreme Court Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, former CEC Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim, Registrar Supreme Court and Registrar Lahore High Court.

The PTI submitted documents pertaining to 77 constituencies but did not submit a list for additional witnesses. Additional documents pertaining to rigging were also submitted by the PPP.

The next hearing of the judicial commission will be held on April 27.