Top jurists to fight case for political parties

PML-N hires Khawaja Haris, Ramday; Hafeez Pirzada to represent PTI

ISLAMABAD: Key political parties have engaged some top jurists to present their case before the judicial commission constituted on the demand of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to probe into allegedly systematic and organised rigging in the May 2013 general elections. The commission will start its public hearing on Thursday (tomorrow).

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has engaged Khawaja Haris, Mustafa Ramday and Makhdoom Ali Khan to defend the party’s position before the commission. Whereas, the federal government has acquired the services of senior lawyer Khalid Anwar to assist attorney general in this matter.

Similarly, the PTI has hired the services of renowned legal expert Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, who is currently abroad and will return to the country on April 16.

Senator Aitzaz Ahsan will appear on behalf of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) while Farogh Naseem is expected to present the stance of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) before the inquiry commission.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) has acquired the expertise of Kamran Murtaza while Sajid Tareen will argue on behalf of Balochistan National Party (BNP)-Mengal. The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has asked active lawyer Taufiq Asif to appear on its behalf. Wasim Sajjad or Khalid Ranjha will represent the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).

Former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, who was accused by the PTI of complicity in the alleged rigging, has hired former attorney general Munir A Malik to defend him before the commission.

Meanwhile, Awami National Party (ANP) and Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) have submitted their written statements before the inquiry commission.

ANP filed an application on Tuesday through its counsel Latif Afridi to become a party in the proceedings of the inquiry commission, which will start its public hearing on Thursday (tomorrow).

Meanwhile, MQM-P has submitted a written statement accompanied by evidences regarding the alleged malpractices in the elections in Karachi by the MQM.

The party has approached the inquiry commission through its counsel Hashmat Habib advocate, wherein it is stated that the entire election was rigged by the MQM to ensure their candidates’ victory.

JI submits proofs today

As the JI leadership has decided to make itself a party before the judicial commission to prove its stance in connection with “massive rigging in the 2013 election in Karachi”, the party said it has completed all its working in this regard.

According to a statement, the JI has collected all the related evidences including documental proof and video films of rigging on May 11, 2013 which it would present before the commission on Wednesday (today).

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2015.