Post-inquiry: Govt seeks PTI apology over rigging charges

In assembly session, finance minister urges Imran Khan to shun confrontation

ISLAMABAD:

The government on Monday sought an apology from the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for levelling baseless allegations against the ruling party in view of the report of the judicial inquiry commission on rigging terming the last elections fair.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chose to retaliate in the National Assembly session two days after Imran Khan formally accepted the inquiry report with ifs and buts.

Presenting the agreement between the PML-N and the PTI for the formation of the inquiry commission, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said Imran’s party was not abiding by its commitment. “If the elections are found to be transparent and fair, then the PTI will take back all its allegations of rigging,” he said reading out from the agreement.

Read: Imran’s poll rigging drive must be probed: Iftikhar Chaudhry

He added that for the first time in history, an elected government agreed to its own scrutiny. “This has not received acknowledgement from the PTI. We urge him [Imran] to shun confrontation and come to common terms.”

“It was our considered party policy that if the decision came against us, we will have to go for re-elections,” Dar said. “Strangely, they [PTI] seek PM’s resignation rather than appreciating his humbleness. It is regrettable.”

Incensed by Dar’s remarks, PTI Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the inquiry commission had in fact vindicated PTI’s stance by pointing out flaws in the electoral system. “We will respond [to the government’s harsh tone] with an appropriate response,” he added.

“Acceptance of the report by the PTI is a step forward. We abandoned the path of agitation and are again in the House with a futuristic approach,” he added.

The Pakistan Peoples Party reiterated its demand for presenting the inquiry report in parliament. “All national issues should be discussed in parliament,” said Khursheed Shah, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly.

Dar said the government did not have any problem with that. “The commission was formed after taking input from all political parties and we endorse it honestly,” he added.

Earlier, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) members staged a walkout from the house to protest against the ongoing operation in Karachi. MQM lawmaker Farooq Sattar told the media that MNA Ali Raza Abidi’s restaurant was ‘illegally’ sealed by the law enforcement agencies. “The Constitution is being sabotaged in Karachi,” he claimed.

Read: Judicial commission: ‘Imran’s politics is helping Nawaz get a second term’

Before the MQM walkout, Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali told the house that 1,750MW of wind power would be added to the national grid by the end of next year. He added that five wind power projects with a total capacity of 255MW were already operational in Thatta, Sindh.

The assembly also unanimously passed a bill for establishing the National University of Medical Sciences. The bill was moved by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who said the existing medical colleges of the armed forces would come under the umbrella of this university. The varsity will be set up in Rawalpindi initially and then shifted to Islamabad.


Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2015.