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.
COMMENTS (17)
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If boxes are opened without any evidence presented to the tribunal , then anyone and everyone can get that done for each and every constituency . The ballot boxes mustnt be opened just because IK says so . PTI polling agents were present in each polling station. why didnt they complain in real time or even next day. The whole story is conocted.
What evidence are you asking from IK. Ask from the people of Pakistan, who had witnessed it with their own eyes in most of the polling stations.
@Nido: Question has been answered by independent observers. It was "by and large transparent and fair"
@Ch. Allah Daad:
IK is abusing all and everyone in the name of democracy. He's not spared anyone in Pakistan. According to him, in a country of over 180 million, there is one "honest" person and that 's him. I' ve never heard so much filth, blame and threats from any politician. It's amazing how he's managed to preach anarchy, hatred and lawlessness (civil disobedience, illegal remittance, non-payment of bills , just to name a few) and get away with it. I would love to have seen him do something similar under General Musharraf.
@salman: Nope, this man has done everything he possibly could to himself! He has BOXED himself into a container (no pun intended), and while he had a gold opportunity to get out in a respectable manner, he DID not, and now, can't find a way to get out of that box, without jeopardizing his political career. On top of that, IK has an EGO larger than the whole world, and blend it with his stubbornness, and you have a perfect recipe of a man that no sane person can negotiate with.
@sabi:
My question to all of you who blindly believe PML-N is being fair is very simple.
Why put the country through so much when you can end all of it by recounting? Is it better to let half the country protest and affect businesses, just to avoid recount?
Was election rigged? Yes it was massively rigged. Any evidence? Yes, preliminary evidence is thousands of disgusting clips showing that election was rigged. Any secondary evidence? Yes, open the ballot boxes and do a fair recount, that is where the evidence will come from. Shameful PML and filthy patwari rhetoric to present evidence.
Why not open 4 constituencies, quick to pass an Amendment to give us a third term PM can't pass an amendment for this Daal Kali hai
@Ch. Allah Daad: What democracy are u talking about dude. There is corruption to the nose in every department of the country. Elections were 100% rigged no doubt about that. People are sick of Noon league and Zardari idiocracy. corroptocracy and, sell the country to Illuminati and stupidiocracy
IK and his “Darbaries” had been parroting all the time that he will present the rigging evidence only in the court of law!!! The onion got peeled off today in the court, and Khan sb proved yet again "Khoda Paharh, or nickla chooha, wo bhi marra houa" :-) I hope the court stands convinced now that IK is a time-waster delusional, and should NOT be taken seriously! And to the Punjab govt, Enough of velvet glove for IK, the anarchist. Time to deal with him and his fellow trouble-makers in a befitting manner!
PML spending all efforts / money to stop this man....
@Layman: How can Imran's statement be taken seriously when he has been shouting for weeks and doesn't have a single shred of presentable evidence.
For decades violent mullahs are pressurizing lower courts with charged mobs to get decisions in their favor and they have been successful.Government kept their eyes closed and innocents got suffered.Today IK is following the same trend set by mullah of blackmail and harassment. Let us see at which point government reverse the trend.This man will never learn unless law of the land is applied to him.
Good decision against an anarchist
The PML(N) was never afraid of Imran Khan but tolerated him for sake of democracy. Long live PML(N) and democracy.