Buoyed by tribunal proceedings, PML-N to go on the offensive against Imran

Party sources say they are going on an offensive against Imran, will counter his allegations

ISLAMABAD: After Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan appeared before the election tribunal in Lahore, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Saturday claimed that the vocal PTI chief had failed to present any evidence of rigging and that he was trying to fool the nation without evidence.

According to a statement released by the PML-N, the party claimed that Imran had admitted before the tribunal on Saturday that he was incapacitated and could not recall much of the election, or names of those involved in rigging.

The PML-N statement included excerpts of Saturday's questioning:

“Imran Khan was asked in tribunal court if he was on bed rest when the elections happened?

He said yes.

He was asked if he witnessed rigging first hand.

He said no.

He was asked who told him about the rigging.

He said a lot of people including polling agents, election agent and voters. He said he couldn't recall the names of any as he had a severe head injury-concussion. He also said that his affidavit was dictated by Shoaib Siddiqui as he himself could not recall anything.

When asked, he said that he does not remember the oath commissioner who attested his affidavit in Lahore (the oath commissioner is based in Islamabad/Rawalpindi).

On provision of any documentary evidence to him or to any official specific to NA 122, Imran Khan said he had seen documentary evidence from throughout Pakistan but not of NA 122.

The statement further claimed that Saturday’s hearing proved that Imran was not only trying to fool citizens, but was also trying to get last year’s election invalidated through baseless statements.

The party further stated that verdicts cannot and should not be based on hearsay and that the PTI chief should not pressurise judges and courts into deciding a case in his favour.

“Judges and courts are under a moral and ethical obligation to decide based on evidence” the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, PML-N sources have told The Express Tribune that the party, buoyed by Saturday’s tribunal proceedings, has decided to go on the offensive against the PTI chief.

Sources said that party leaders, while making Saturday proceeding’s the bottom line, have devised a strategy to counter PTI and Imran’s claims over electoral rigging.

Earlier on Saturday, Imran had appeared before the election tribunal which is reviewing his request for probing elections in NA-122.

Imran, while urging the tribunal to hold a recount, had said that if the government was convinced about the transparency of the elections, it would not be so hesitant about accountability.

“The evidence is in the ballot bags. Why are they so scared of opening them?”

The PTI chief demanded that the government explain why it was hiding behind the stay orders if it was so sure about the outcome of the elections.