Open letter: Head of tribunal defies Imran, calls meeting today

The retired justice also refutes PTI chief’s allegations through a letter

ISLAMABAD: In open defiance of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan’s latest instructions, Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed is planning to convene a meeting of the “defunct” election tribunal on Monday

On July 7, Imran had asked Justice (retd) Wajihuddin “to immediately refrain from issuing any more pronouncements”, prompting the commission into responding that it would discuss the matter in its meeting after it refuted the party chief’s allegation of hurting the party’s interest.

In his letter to Justice Wajihuddin, Imran said, “As chairman of the party, I am now formally requesting you to immediately refrain from issuing any more pronouncements on behalf of the defunct election tribunal. I sincerely hope that you will accept this request in the same spirit of good will and good faith that I am making it. I assure you that I will continue to take all steps necessary to ensure that my work and struggle for the party is not undermined.”

The retired justice responded to every single point raised by the PTI chief through a letter and once again refuted his arguments against the tribunal.

Imran said that the decisions of the tribunal were encouraging ‘opportunists’ and damaging the party. Justice Wajihuddin retorted by saying that “it is not the tribunal or the followers of the PTI ideology, who may be imputed such blame. Perhaps, if you condescend to look around yourself, such elements may not be far to find.”

It stated that it was the fourth time that an attempt has been made to show the door to the party’s election tribunal. “Let it be made perfectly clear that being the head of the tribunal means nothing personally to me.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 13^th, 2015.