Pakistan on Friday approved the formation of a judicial commission to probe alleged rigging in 2013 general elections that were comprehensively won by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's PML-N and led to months of political tension in the country.
Pakistan on Friday approved the formation of a judicial commission to probe alleged rigging in 2013 general elections that were comprehensively won by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's PML-N and led to months of political tension in the country.
President Mamnoon Hussain issued the ordinance for the setting up of the commission following an agreement between the government and the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on March 20 after months of hectic parleys.
The agreement was signed between the two sides ending more than seven months of political tension in the country which created uncertainty and damaged the economy.
The judicial commission, comprising three judges of the Supreme Court, will inquire and determine whether or not the 2013 elections were conducted impartially, honestly, fairly and justly in accordance with law or were they rigged in systematic manner. According to the signed agreement between the government and PTI, the judicial commission will investigate the matter preferably within 45 days of its formation.
Khan had alleged that the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of Sharif had rigged the 2013 polls, depriving PTI of several seats. The government has rejected the allegations, prompting PTI to launch a massive protest in the capital last August, creating friction with the government.
PTI lawmakers last year resigned from the Parliament but the speaker of National Assembly refused to accept their resignations.
PTI had been staying away from the Parliament since then but had announced that it would return once the commission was set up by the government. According to the agreement, the government will resign if it was proved that it won the elections through systematic rigging.
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