Off the wire
• Nigerian experts optimistic of World Bank's rehabilitation support  • Bolt feels excited and nervous to compete at Bird's Nest again  • Japan's Nikkei to buy FT Group for 1.3 bln USD  • Ireland raises 11 bln euros in bond markets by midyear  • Commentary: Myanmar should treat Chinese loggers in lawful, reasonable and sensible way  • Iceland's CPI up 0.16 pct  • Feature: Chinese firm, partner create new model for bilateral cooperation  • Afghan's Salang Tunnel blocked as militants attacked police convoy  • Iceland's unemployment down in June  • Ireland's inbound visitors' numbers up 11 pct in first six months  
You are here: 　 Home

Pakistan PM calls for end to political wrangling after judiciary validates elections

Xinhua, July 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Thursday called for an end to political squabbling after the highest judiciary validated the 2013 polls that had won by his Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) party but opposition parties had claimed rigging in elections.

A judicial commission, formed to inquire into the allegations of rigging, has concluded in its report that 2013 General Elections were in large part organized and conducted fairly and in accordance with the law. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Justice Nasir ul Mulk, headed the three-member Commission.

The commission was constituted earlier this year after a main opposition party "Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf" or Justice Movement had alleged the polls had been rigged in favor of PML-N of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Other opposition parties later joined the PTI to claim rigging and had submitted their proofs to the inquiry commission.

"The Judicial Commission has not only the endorsement of the Government's point of view on the issue of electoral rigging but also authentication of people's mandate," Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said in a televised address.

PTI's Chairman Imran Khan said he would accept finding of the commission which complied the report after hearing all parties over the past four months. Khan had staged a sit-in in Islamabad for months to press the gov't for investigating into the alleged rigging.

"The Commission's report is also a validation of the concept that issues can be resolved through constitutional forums and not on roads or through sit-ins," Sharif said in a veiled reference to PTI's protest campaign that had paralyzed life in Islamabad for over two months last year.

The Prime Minister said the highest and most credible forum has authenticated the 2013 General Elections as transparent and free from rigging; and therefore, the chapter of allegations and false accusations should come to a close forever.

Violence had also erupted during the protest demonstrations in Islamabad that had claimed several lives. Protestors had also briefly occupied building of the state television and suspended national transmission for nearly 30 minutes.

Referring to the violence and anti-gov't protests, the Prime Minister said despite provocations the government demonstrated extreme restraint to pave the way for resolution of the issue of rigging through democratic spirit.

"I am confident that those who wasted precious time of the nation would also learn the lesson and desist from negative politics. We should consider verdict of the Inquiry Commission as a milestone and embark on a new journey on the road to progress and prosperity and get rid of chaos, uncertainty and instability," Sharif said.

Major political parties have accepted the commission's report and political watchers say the report has put and to the political tensions in the country.

The 237-page Report, presented by the commission to the government yesterday, has been made public and is available on the website of the Ministry of Law and Justice of Government of Pakistan. Endi