Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Express News correspondent Aamir Ilyas Rana reported that the Interior Minister has invited Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's Justice Wajihuddin to oversee the verification of thumbprints on votes to dispel rumours that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz was attempting to manipulate verification results in their favour.
Nisar raised several issues in the letter. He stated in a National Assembly session a few days ago, that the current government was not responsible for ensuring the use of magnetic ink and the subsequent verification of votes through it.
He said the elections were not conducted by PML-N officials but by Election Commission of Pakistan and caretaker ministers who mostly consisted of Pakistan People's Party representatives.
The minister reiterated the same issues in the letter.
He asked if magnetic ink was ever used in any elections in Pakistan including those of this year. He asked who was responsible for delivering the ink to the polling stations and training the relevant officers for its use?
Nisar also stated that it was useless to keep debating over the issue if magnetic ink had not been used and verification was entirely impossible. He questioned, then who was responsible for instigating and prolonging this debate and what their motive could be?
In an attempt to clear the name of PML-N in the whole matter, Chaudhry Nisar has placed the ball in the opposition's court.
Nadra chairman at center of storm
The PML-N government is currently being accused by many members of the opposition for sacking NADRA Chairman Tariq Malik in a bid to tamper with the verification process.
The chairman of the National Database and Registration Authority was sacked and then within a few hours, reinstated by the Islamabad High Court on December 3.
Malik’s sacking came only days after an election tribunal asked NADRA to verify the thumb impressions of voters from the Lahore constituency NA-118, won by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Malik Riaz.
The Express Tribune had learnt then that the Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah had met with Tariq Malik and asked him for a 'compromise' on the verification results of the NA-118 constituency.
“The chief minister did not meet him. He was received by Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah who talked of thumb impressions verification in NA-118,” a source close to the Nadra chief’s office told The Express Tribune.
“Failing [to do so], he would have to face consequences,” said the officials.
The NADRA chairman chose to ‘face the consequences’. The same night the Cabinet Division issued his termination orders and the new chairman was given charge in a hurry.
On filing an application with the Islamabad High Court, though, Malik was reinstated immediately.
To make things spicier, the government is now also initiating a probe against the chairman for alleged misappropriation and irregularities.
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ch nisar is a loyal man of nawaz sharif and he is enjyoiing the ministery but he know the election were rigged because he himself loose in recounting that,s why he not wish to recounting and thumb verification in more constituency.
Pathetic. He has the guts to say all this after appalling removal attempt of NADRA chairman. Sorry! Mr Nisar your govt is badly exposed. No cover up will work.
Ch. Nisar indeed a great politician and master of twisting things, naive analysis portrays a great offer like the one he did in his earlier speech, "we are ready for recounting of 40 not only 4 seats",which ultimately turn out to be delaying tactics till the wave subsides. One of the points against Tariq Malik, his appointment was without advertisement or ad hoc, now how can you appoint anyone, even Justice Wajih-uddin for such a job on ad hoc basis? Again bluffing!
You can not fool all the people all the time
Ch. Nisar is a complete failure. There is no doubt that PML (N) mandate was rigged.
@Muslim Leaguer: The cat is already out of the bad. The cunningness, and high handedness of Ch. Nisar and PMLN is wide open.
PTI must be very careful in trusting a party, whose head was called dangerous by UAE Amir. It should not fall prey to this suggestion and keep Wajihuddin at arm's length. Wajihuddin was earlier instrumental in diverting attention from the illegality of the Presidential elections. Imran should remember the experience from APDM.
Diversionary tactics. Drone attack happens, Ch. Nisar sheds tears at the death of a terrorist in the assemble. Rawalpindi becomes hostage to terror, Ch. Nisar announces invocation of article 6 against Musharraf. Election-gate happens, Ch. Nisar talks about Wajihuddin.
@Truth detector: Ch. Nisar has no right to appoint a PTI/PMLN party member for investigating the election fraud, just like Nawaz Sharif has no right to make his daughter in charge of 100 billion rupees. This is the job of the government functionaries. Let them do it.
This is a transparent step by PMLN Government to respond to the pseudo-intellectual trolls of PTI desperately trying to defend PPP-appointed jiyala. The cat will soon be out of the bag!
NADRA Chairman Tariq Malik was doing his job when instructed by the an election tribunal to verify the thumb impressions of voters from the Lahore constituency NA-118, won by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Malik Riaz. Why victimize Mr. Malik and what is there to hide by PML-N in this constituency. It seems the reaction to verify the thumb impression is indicative of rigging, innocent candidate and party should not be offended by recount if there is any doubt about Mr.Riaz's election. Some how I failed to understand why this government even profess to be democratic which it is not by it's heavy handed tactics, it is all about power and ruling the country. Nawaz Sharif is the protege of General Zia and we all know how Zia ruled, it is hard for a grown up person to change for the betterment of the country and society, he is looking after his well being every way you look at, what did he promise Obama in Washington DC, drone strikes countinued and will continue. This nation of Pakistan has become worse then a Banana Republic even equiped with nuclear capabilities.
Look busy do nothig. The real issues are being ignored.
Chaudhry Nisar what you and your government has given to the people of Pakistan so far? any progress? any relief? and good news? none. We miss Musharraf time.
There is something really fishy in this cover up. Seems like PMLN knows the eventual outcome of the thumb verification. It will be interesting to see which officials' thumbs show up in mass voting.
A politician though he is also human being but will surely argue on one point or another as in which constituencies the elections were rigged on May 11, 2013.
If Chaudhry Nisar is thinking that by inviting all politicians in a meeting, they will give a "clean chit" to PML(N) that is next to impossible.
After all in democracy, one has the right to agree or disagree and is free to express his or her opinion.
This is not a meeting which is been called by Chief Martial Law Administrator where every politician will come and say: "YES SIR, YOU ARE RIGHT".
Ch. Nisar sounds fair & trying to act like one. Should be applauded.