Nawaz calls on SC to form judicial commission to probe rigging allegations

PM says he won't pose hurdles for protests; says he will not allow national decisions to be taken on streets


Web Desk August 12, 2014

ISLAMABAD: As Islamabad braces for protest marches led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI)Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek's (PAT) Tahirul Qadri, who have both vowed to topple the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will address the nation on Tuesday to discuss the current political crisis in the country.

PTI and PAT plan to march on the capital on August 14, when the country celebrates its Independence Day, accompanied by tens of thousands of supporters. And while the prime minister’s speech is expected to focus on the country’s economic performance, the address on Tuesday is primarily geared towards the standoff between the government and protesters.



August 12, 9:00pm

Concluding his speech, the prime minister says, "We request the Supreme Court chief justice to form a three-member commission to probe allegations of rigging and present their findings."

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August 12, 8:59pm

"I will not pose hurdles for peaceful protests," he says.

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August 12, 8:58pm

Addressing the media, the prime minister says, "the media needs to reassess its role. They need to check if certain elements are trying to misuse the media for their nefarious goals."

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August 12, 8:56pm

"We have the confidence of 180 million people. We will not allow national decisions to be taken on the roads and streets. We will not allow anyone to spread anarchy," says PM Nawaz

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August 12, 8:55pm

"The 2018 elections will take place as per schedule," says PM.

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August 12, 8:54pm

He says the government is ready for all sorts of talks for political and economic reforms.

"We believe in democracy, and I respect the right to peaceful protests," the PM adds.

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August 12, 8:53pm

The prime minister says that, "It was even said that, despite some issues, this is perhaps the most transparent election."

The prime minister says that electoral reforms are central to his party’s agenda, and that in light of this he has written to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairman of the Senate to form a parliamentary committee with the purpose of advising the government on electoral reforms.

“I am glad that a 33-member committee has been formed and has started working,” he says, adding that the government is willing to change laws, amend the constitution, or bring structural changes to the election machinery if it has to.

“I am confident that the representative committee will fulfill its purpose with full integrity in a short span of time,” he adds.

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August 12, 8:49pm

"Around a hundred channels oversaw the 2013 elections, and no observer claimed that the elections were unfair," says the prime minister.

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August 12, 8:47pm

The PM implores the nation to question the purpose of the long march.

"Are these protests occurring because there are no corruption scandals since this government took over?" PM Nawaz asks the nation.

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August 12, 8:45pm

In regard to the 'Azadi' march and the 'Inqilabi' march, the prime minister questions the purpose of these protests.

"Are they protesting that the Pakistani Rupee has appreciated?" he asks.

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August 12, 8:44pm

"While we have started to progress, some elements are intent on destabilising the country," says PM Nawaz.

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August 12, 8:43pm

While speaking about the development of the country, he says, "in the past 14 months, the nation has moved forward in terms of currency value, foreign investment and economic growth."

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August 12, 8:41pm

"The smooth transition from one democratic government to an other democratic government is a sign of progress," he says.

"I am not claiming any miracles when it comes to the progress of the country, but there have been improvement on several fronts when it comes to the economy," says PM Nawaz.

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August 12, 8:39pm

The prime minister says, "we laid the foundation for democratic continuity in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa."

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August 12, 8:38pm

"We need to identify which hollow slogans have kept us stuck in poverty," says PM Nawaz, during his address to the nation.

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August 12, 8:37pm

"We have paid a price for political upheaval in the past," says the prime minister, adding "only nations with political stability have made progress."

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August 12, 8:35pm

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has begun his address to the nation.

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COMMENTS (108)

seema | 10 years ago | Reply

Now it is useless to form a commision to probe the allegation of rigging, PM should have done it soon after Bahawalpur gathering of PTI but he was taking the matter lightly. Now IK will not be going to retreat at any cost bcz he is seeing that the position of govt is so weak now.

salim | 10 years ago | Reply

@Jameel: Indeed! The final days of this RULING FAMILY is approaching.

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