JI demands judicial probe into 'poll rigging'

Terming February 08 a black day in the history of the country, Jamat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has renewed his party's demand of judicial probe into 'electoral rigging'.

Addressing a press conference at Mansoora, the JI chief said the country is plagued by political instability due to disregard to public mandate. He claimed the rulers have taken the power on the basis of a stolen mandate.

He expressed surprise over opposition's demand for re-elections instead of resolving the rigging issue through Form 45. With an obvious reference to PML-N president Nawaz Sharif, the JI chief said those, who adopted a narrative of "respect the vote", have disappointed the nation.

February 8 is the darkest day in national history, when the people's mandate was stolen. Currently, the government is running on Form 47, with the Sharif and Zardari families in power, said Hafiz Naeem.

He pointed out that the votes of people were recorded on Form 45. Therefore, the opposition's demand for new elections is tantamount to strengthening the government. The mandate is not someone's personal property. The establishment will have to work within its limits. Let the democratic process thrive, the JI chief added.

He announced that his party will observe February 8 as a black day across the country. He demanded that PTI be allowed to hold a rally on February 8. Everyone, including PTI, should have the right to hold peaceful protests.