Step down before judicial probe begins, Imran to Nawaz

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has rejected investigation into poll rigging by a Prime Minister proposed judicial commission till Nawaz Sharif resigns from his position, Geo News reported.

Addressing a press conference following PM Nawaz’s televised address to the nation, Imran Khan said: “Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should resign before the judicial commission begins its probe into the rigging allegations in the 2013 general elections.”

In his address, PM Nawaz Sharif announced that his government would request Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to form a 3-member judicial commission to investigate into the allegations of rigging.

Imran Khan said the PTI ‘Azadi March’ will proceed as per plan and they will reach Islamabad on August 14 ‘come what may.’

He said they would remain in the federal capital till their demands were met. He said PTI’s march would be peaceful.

“Whenever there is fair investigation into the poll rigging it will bring to light how 15 million votes were balloted”, he asserted.

The PTI chief also demanded resignation of members of Election Commission of Pakistan.

Khan said Interior Minister had admitted in the parliament that 60 to 70 per cent votes were unverified, however, the premier did not admit any rigging. He advised PM Nawaz to listen to the speech of his interior minister.

Imran alleged that those involved in poll rigging were awarded key posts, adding that personal servants of Nawaz Sharif became bureaucrats and got key posts.

PTI chairman said: “Imran has no personal battle with Nawaz Sharif. This is a war between democracy and monarchy”.

He said the people should not be deprived of their fundamental right to protest.

Khan further said that Sharif family has 71 cases pending against them before National Accountability Bureau (NAB).