PTI should accept election tribunal's verdict for NA-122: Pervaiz Rashid
Rashid says tribunal found Imran's vote count had decreased following recount with more votes rejected
Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid. PHOTO: APP
ISLAMABAD:
The government on Saturday urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to accept the verdict of the election tribunal regarding a vote audit in NA-122 and not to damage national consensus forged on fighting terrorism.
Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, in a press conference on Saturday, said that the tribunal in its report had found that Imran's votes had decreased, therefore the PTI chief should accept the report.
Rashid added that the PTI chairman had demanded a recount of votes, but Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq had once again emerged victorious.
“The PML-N had been anxiously waiting for the tribunal’s result because we were confident that there was no rigging in 2013 general elections.”
The tribunal has sent its report to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Rashid said that the PTI had been demanding audit of four constituencies, “it was demanded of the government that four constituencies be opened but they were already open and proceedings were going on.”
He said that there were some delays in proceedings of NA-122, but “we were not responsible for the delay.”
“Imran Khan has not raised any allegations in the petition that he was levelling against the government from his container,” Rashid said, adding that in his petition, the PTI chief had only demanded a recount of votes and not questioned anything else.
He added that the recount was held in the presence of representatives from both sides. “Imran Khan lost the elections after this recount.”
Talking about the PTI chairman’s latest decision to deposit electricity bills of his Bani Gala residence, the Minister said that, “Khan made a good decision yesterday, and I would request you to accept this tribunal report as well.”
Daniyal Aziz from the PML-N said that the ECP has constituted local commission comprising two judges of integrity and good repute. “The statement of recount was agreed by both the parties. The number of rejected votes of Imran Khan is greater than Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.”
“Imran Khan’s claim of 30,000 fake votes is nothing but a pack of lies,” he added. “The PML-N would not allow the PTI to continue its media trial.”
National consensus
“You would get opportunities for politicking later on, so try not to dent the national consensus,”Rashid urged the PTI chief.
After highlighting the decision of the tribunal, the minister said that Pakistan is going though difficult times and fighting a war against terrorism. He said that the entire nation was still somber and scars of the December 16 attack on Army Public School were still fresh.
He added that the government and the PTI had been many differences in the past, but this was the first time that the entire political leadership had developed consensus on what terrorism was, who was a terrorist and how to deal with them.
Talking about the steps taken by the government after the December 16 attack, the minister said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif convened All Parties Conference (APC), and helped develop consensus and pass a constitutional amendment.
“We want the people of Pakistan to give their verdict now,” Rashid said, responding to a question.
The government on Saturday urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to accept the verdict of the election tribunal regarding a vote audit in NA-122 and not to damage national consensus forged on fighting terrorism.
Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, in a press conference on Saturday, said that the tribunal in its report had found that Imran's votes had decreased, therefore the PTI chief should accept the report.
Rashid added that the PTI chairman had demanded a recount of votes, but Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq had once again emerged victorious.
“The PML-N had been anxiously waiting for the tribunal’s result because we were confident that there was no rigging in 2013 general elections.”
The tribunal has sent its report to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Rashid said that the PTI had been demanding audit of four constituencies, “it was demanded of the government that four constituencies be opened but they were already open and proceedings were going on.”
He said that there were some delays in proceedings of NA-122, but “we were not responsible for the delay.”
“Imran Khan has not raised any allegations in the petition that he was levelling against the government from his container,” Rashid said, adding that in his petition, the PTI chief had only demanded a recount of votes and not questioned anything else.
He added that the recount was held in the presence of representatives from both sides. “Imran Khan lost the elections after this recount.”
Talking about the PTI chairman’s latest decision to deposit electricity bills of his Bani Gala residence, the Minister said that, “Khan made a good decision yesterday, and I would request you to accept this tribunal report as well.”
Daniyal Aziz from the PML-N said that the ECP has constituted local commission comprising two judges of integrity and good repute. “The statement of recount was agreed by both the parties. The number of rejected votes of Imran Khan is greater than Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.”
“Imran Khan’s claim of 30,000 fake votes is nothing but a pack of lies,” he added. “The PML-N would not allow the PTI to continue its media trial.”
National consensus
“You would get opportunities for politicking later on, so try not to dent the national consensus,”Rashid urged the PTI chief.
After highlighting the decision of the tribunal, the minister said that Pakistan is going though difficult times and fighting a war against terrorism. He said that the entire nation was still somber and scars of the December 16 attack on Army Public School were still fresh.
He added that the government and the PTI had been many differences in the past, but this was the first time that the entire political leadership had developed consensus on what terrorism was, who was a terrorist and how to deal with them.
Talking about the steps taken by the government after the December 16 attack, the minister said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif convened All Parties Conference (APC), and helped develop consensus and pass a constitutional amendment.
“We want the people of Pakistan to give their verdict now,” Rashid said, responding to a question.