Rigging probe: PTI voices apprehensions over MoU with govt

Sources say govt seeks change in the clause on dissolution of assemblies


Qamar Zaman March 29, 2015
Sources say govt seeks change in the clause on dissolution of assemblies. PHOTO: ONLINE

ISLAMABAD: After months of squabbling, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) finally agreed last week on the terms of the judicial commission, though PTI showed apprehensions about the fate of memorandum of understanding (MoU) agreed by the two parties.

On Friday, Imran Khan warned the government that his supporters would again take to the streets if any agreement over the judicial commission to probe electoral rigging is breached. Following that warning, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, who was the chief negotiator of the government during the talks, clarified his party’s position and dismissed reports of any changes.

Sources privy to the development told The Express Tribune that objections were raised by some senior ministers belonging to several parties over the clause in MoU regarding dissolution of assemblies. In response, the government reportedly reached out to the PTI to alter the agreement so the contentious clause is removed.

“Doubts have emerged [over the fate of the agreement] after a recent contact by the government side to alter an already agreed MoU,” sources in the PTI said, expressing hope that the government sticks to its original position.

On March 20, the federal government and the protesting PTI agreed on the scope of proposed judicial commission in a nine-point MoU, but recent developments, including a leaked audio tape of PTI chairman, have prompted the latter to once again issue the warning of protest in case any changes are made in the MoU.

The MoU’s clause 4.1 in final report, which both the parties had agreed to accept, reads “The consequences of a final report from the commission containing an affirmative finding of illegalities in the 2013 GE, (a) dissolution of the National Assembly by the Prime Minister in terms of Article 58(1) of the Constitution.”

Sources said the issue of dissolution of assemblies was discussed in detail during the meeting of parliamentary leaders convened by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. While MQM was the only party which disagreed with the deal struck by PML-N with PTI, others posed questions over the dissolution of assemblies.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29th, 2015.

COMMENTS (8)

Ebaad | 8 years ago | Reply @haider: This has to be the most ridiculous demand ever heard. By the way, why didn't you put all these conditions before MQM to get your vote?
haider | 8 years ago | Reply Few lines for Mr.Imran khan I am a voter of halqa.NA. 246 if you want my vote pl do to solve our problems first problems no.1.Electric 2.Water 3.Gas if you can solve these problems before Election our vote for will be P.T.I otherwise M.Q.M is the best.
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