Probing election rigging: Commission summons caretaker CM Balochistan

DRO Panjgur, two ROs also summoned for cross examination

ISLAMABAD: The judicial commission probing the alleged rigging in 2013 elections on Friday has summoned caretaker chief minister Balohistan Nawab Ghaus Bakhsh Barozai along with one District Returning Officer Panjgur and two Returning Officers for cross examination on Monday.

Earlier, Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-Mengal) and BNP-Awami (BNP-Awami) submitted list of their witnesses for cross examination.

However, the three judge commission headed by chief justice Nasirul Mulk has issued notices to four witnesses including caretaker chief minister, DRO Panjgur for cross examination.

Talking to The Express Tribune, counsel for BNP-Mengal Sajid Tarin had accused that Barozai as caretaker CM had failed to form his cabinet, which was necessary under the law. The counsel also said that Barozai had admitted that he was powerless.

Shah Khawar counsel for BNP-Awami accused that the then chief secretary Balochistan was running all the affairs in the province and was involved in rigging.

It is expected that the commission would record the statements of all four witnesses in one day.

Meanwhile, legal teams of major political parties are eagerly waiting to see who will be summoned by commission itself for recording testimony.

The Chief Justice on Wednesday observed that the commission may summon witnesses for cross examination and would inform the counsels of different political parties if it decides so.

Commenting on the commission’s announcement, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf’’s task force chairman Ishaq Khan Khakwani said the move shows that the commission has accepted its responsibility to probe the matter by itself.

Currently, the commission is relaying on the material, evidences submitted by political parties.