Govt is expected to make its move after issuance of NA-122 inspection report. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) a week ago issued a fresh warning and a deadline of reviving its protest campaign, if there is no decision on judicial commission, but the government chose to remain silent.
“The government has not made any contact so far,” said Asad Umer, a key party leader, while talking to The Express Tribune, here on Sunday.
Though the government resumed talks with the PTI, the two sides could not address concerns on key issues. In the meanwhile, Peshawar attack changed the entire scenario, forcing the rigging issue on the back burner.
The tribunal’s judgment is likely to be released in a day or two and it is believed that the government would clarify its position on the basis of the judgment. Earlier on Saturday, Information Minister Parvaiz Rashid called upon Imran Khan to accept the verdict of the Election Tribunal inspecting the vote count in the NA-122 constituency.
PTI had started protests on August 14 claiming that the May 2013 general elections were heavily rigged in favour of the PML-N. It demanded that the government form a judicial commission, a joint investigation team (under the commission) comprising members of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Military Intelligence (MI), to investigate the alleged rigging.
PTI chairman had issued the warning during the first week of the 2015, saying, “Government should take a decision till January 18 otherwise we would not remain silent and re-launch protest movement from D-Chowk on Jan 18.”
“But it is not an easy decision to make,” a party official said, while referring to the post-Peshawar attack scenario. While ending his 126-day sit-in, Khan justified the decision by saying that the country could not afford ‘opposition’ at that juncture and left the ball in the government court. Any announcement for revival of protest may confront the party to a difficult situation to deal with.
An announcement in this regard, if there is no response from the government, is likely on January 18, the day PTI would hold a workers’ convention at D-Chowk of the Constitution Avenue. The convention is to pay homage and tribute to PTI workers who had been instrumental in the protest movement.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 12th, 2015.
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Just for the record: the Audit (not a recount!) that was ordered for NA-122 found more than 32,000 votes to be bogus/fake! Which is THREE times Ayaz Sadiq's lead over Imran Khan!
Seems PTI has run out of steam.