ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan recorded his statement regarding the alleged NA-122 rigging in last year’s general polls at a hearing of an election tribunal today, Express News reported on Saturday.
Presenting his evidence, Imran reportedly told the tribunal that all votes at the constituency should be recounted and evidence would present itself.
Speaking to the media after PTI representatives met with Lahore district body and traders’ bodies in Gulberg on Saturday, Imran said that if the government was convinced about the transparency of the elections, it would not be so hesitant about accountability.
“The evidence is in the ballot bags. Why are they so scared of opening them?”
The PTI chief demanded that the government explain why it was hiding behind the stay orders if it was so sure about the outcome of the elections.
The tribunal will decide on Monday, whether the votes will be recounted or not.
Ahead of his arrival at the hearing earlier in the day, PTI supporters gathered at the election commission office and chanted ‘Go Nawaz go’ slogans. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supporters also arrived outside the office to counter with PTI supporters.
Supporters and unauthorised persons were, however, not allowed to enter the election commission office.
Ahead of his departure for Lahore, Imran addressed the media and claimed that all elections held in the country, with the exception of the 1970 elections, were subjected to rigging.
“Even those who have won the elections will say that rigging has taken place,” he said, adding that he was hopeful that there would be justice following the tribunals.
During an election tribunal hearing on
November 29, the judge had requested Imran to present witnesses for the alleged rigging in NA-122 in the May 2013 elections.
More than 15 witnesses were presented and their statements were heard.
When questioned about his ‘Plan C’, Imran said that “Plan C has not even begun yet”.
He urged the people of Faisalabad to join him in his shut-down of the city if they wanted revolution. ”I am telling people to come out with me if they want a revolution,” he said.
Imran concluded that if the judicial commission does not carry out proper negotiations, he would continue with his programme.
“Faisalabad will be shut down on Monday. If the people want freedom and justice, they should be willing to make sacrifices,” The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said.
Imran said that he apologises in advance for any inconvenience that their protest may cause residents.
“There will be no forceful closing of shops or businesses, but we ask the people to join us in this call,” the PTI chief urged.
Imran added that he would be making his way to the city to lead the call for shut down.
During Saturday’s press conference, PTI Punjab President Ejaz Chaudhry informed about surety given by traders and district bar council regarding closure in Faisalabad on Monday.
On that, Imran announced that both the bodies had decided to join PTI’s call for shut down in the city.
Speaking about electoral rigging
Imran said that if any PTI lawmaker, who has submitted their resignation from the assembly, went to the parliament, they will be expelled from the party.
The PTI chief added that the party held Justice (retd) Sardar Raza in high esteem as the newly appointed Chief of Election Commissions (CEC), adding that there was no political party which did not raise allegations of rigging in the 2013 general elections.
Decrease in petroleum prices because of PTI protests
The PTI chief claimed that the recent drop in petroleum prices was due to their protests.
While answering a question regarding allegations made by the government that the PTI protests were hurting the economy, Imran said Ishaq Dar had claimed in August that the economy was doing well, with the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif claiming otherwise.
He added that said that the government should first make up its mind and then complain.
Talks to resume from where they were left off
Asked about the resumption of talks between the PTI and the government, Imran said that they would pick up negotiations from where they broke off.
While conceding that his party had backed off its demand for the PM’s resignation, Imran insisted that composition of a Joint Interrogation Team (JIT) must include representatives of Military Intelligence (MI) and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
He alleged that the government was backing out of its earlier agreed stance.
~Express Tribune.
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