Judicial commission invites political parties to submit proposals in rigging probe

Commission holds first meeting at SC today; expected to submit report to govt in 45 days

ISLAMABAD: The Inquiry Commission probing alleged rigging in the May 2013 general elections on Thursday decided to invite proposals from political parties who participated in the elections.

The three judge commission, headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk in its first meeting invited all the political parties in view of subsection (3) of section 5 of the General elections 2013 Inquiry Commission Ordinance, 2015.

The ordinance states “for the purposes of Section 3, any political party which participated in the general elections 2013 shall, and such other persons as the commission may permit in the interest of justice may, have the right and opportunity to submit evidence or material and make submissions thereon for consideration by the Commission.”

According to the top court's press release, the commission has asked the parties that their proposals shall be in the form of brief statements accompanied by supporting evidence.

The apex court directed all proposals and material to be submitted to the secretary to the commission by April 15.

The commission has also announced to hold a public hearing of the matter. The first public hearing by the commission will be held on April 16.

The commission has also appointed  Secretary to the Chief Justice of Pakistan Muhammad Hamid Ali, as secretary to the commission.

PBC expresses grave concern over formation of judicial commission

Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) Executive Committee Chairman Ahsan Bhoon has expressed grave concern over the formation of a judicial commission to investigate alleged rigging in the 2013 general elections.

On April 9, Chief Justice of Pakistan Nasirul Mulk formed the commission after the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf agreed to probe alleged poll rigging.

Read: SC forms judicial commission to probe alleged rigging in 2013 polls

In a written statement, Bhoon said the judiciary should not be a part of the commission as it is in clear violation of Article 225 of the constitution.

Referring to the doctrine of Separation of Powers, the PCB executive committee chairman said the formation of the commission is an attempt to involve judiciary into political matters.

“It will damage the reputation of the judiciary,” he added.

Meanwhile, the judicial commission held its first meeting at the Supreme Court today. Headed by the chief justice himself, the three-member commission comprises Justice Ameer Hani Muslim and Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan.

Speaking about statement made by the former chief justice on the formation of the judicial commission, Bhoon announced that he will be appearing before the judicial commission.

He said his response gives an impression that he had played some role in the last general elections that favored the present government.

The judicial commission is also expected to submit a final report to the federal government in the next 45 days.

Read: Forming judicial commission will strengthen democracy, says Imran