Tribunal judge's statement proves demands for PM’s resignation were justified: Imran
PTI chief says it is shameful how PML-N ministers were threatening Kazim Malik for giving a judgement against Sadiq
Imran tweeted that Malik’s statement showed that tribunal judges have been under pressure from the ruling party. PHOTO: AFP
After the NA-122 election tribunal’s judge came out to claim that he was allegedly being threatened and pressurized by the incumbent Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to give a verdict in favour of former speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan said that it proved that his demand for the prime minister to resign in order to allow transparent investigations into the May 2013 general elections was justified.
Judge Kazim Malik had earlier on Tuesday stated on a television channel that he was being threatened by the PML-N. His statement came after Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah alleged that the judge had ruled against them just because his son was denied a PML-N ticket.
Imran tweeted that Malik’s statement showed that tribunal judges have been under pressure from the ruling party, proving that his demand for Nawaz Sharif to resign ahead of poll inquiries was justified.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) representative Sadiq had defeated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the May 2013 general elections to clinch the seat. Imran, however, challenged Sadiq’s victory.
Last week, the tribunal’s judge had termed the elections in NA-122 and PP-147 as null and voided, ordering re-elections. PML-N’s Mohsin Latif had defeated PTI’s Shoaib Siddiqui in PP-147.
NA-122 is among the four constituencies – NA-125 (Lahore-VIII), NA-110 (Sialkot-I) and NA-154 (Lodhran-I) – where the PTI, through election petitions, demanded vote audit and re-polling. Previously, an election tribunal had also declared the NA-125 polls, from where railways minister Saad Rafique had won, as null and void.
Rafique had since approached the Supreme Court, obtaining a stay. Sadiq too plans to challenge the verdict in the apex court.
Meanwhile, a tribunal is expected to announce its verdict for NA-154 on Wednesday.
Judge Kazim Malik had earlier on Tuesday stated on a television channel that he was being threatened by the PML-N. His statement came after Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah alleged that the judge had ruled against them just because his son was denied a PML-N ticket.
Imran tweeted that Malik’s statement showed that tribunal judges have been under pressure from the ruling party, proving that his demand for Nawaz Sharif to resign ahead of poll inquiries was justified.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) representative Sadiq had defeated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the May 2013 general elections to clinch the seat. Imran, however, challenged Sadiq’s victory.
Last week, the tribunal’s judge had termed the elections in NA-122 and PP-147 as null and voided, ordering re-elections. PML-N’s Mohsin Latif had defeated PTI’s Shoaib Siddiqui in PP-147.
NA-122 is among the four constituencies – NA-125 (Lahore-VIII), NA-110 (Sialkot-I) and NA-154 (Lodhran-I) – where the PTI, through election petitions, demanded vote audit and re-polling. Previously, an election tribunal had also declared the NA-125 polls, from where railways minister Saad Rafique had won, as null and void.
Rafique had since approached the Supreme Court, obtaining a stay. Sadiq too plans to challenge the verdict in the apex court.
Meanwhile, a tribunal is expected to announce its verdict for NA-154 on Wednesday.