ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a televised address to the nation on Tuesday announced to have the poll rigging allegations of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) probed in full detail by a Supreme Court commission.
He asked the Chief Justice of Pakistan to constitute a 3-judge judicial commission to launch an in depth investigation into the allegations of rigging in the elections of 2013 and come to a final decision.
Earlier, the Prime Minister said he had been repeatedly hearing the charges of poll rigging from a certain party (PTI) but now the entire system is being challenged, putting the international standing of Pakistan at stake.
He said a Parliamentary committee, having representation of all the stakeholders, has been constituted to recommend electoral reforms. The elections of 2018 will be held in the light of these reforms, he added.
Against the backdrop of ‘Azadi March’ of Imran Khan and ‘Revolution March’ of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) leader Dr. Tahirul Qadri, the Premier said he was willing to engage in talks.
“I will not let my ego to come in the way,” he said.
However, the Prime Minister said in a stern tone that no one will be allowed to spread anarchy in the country and play with its Constitution. “No one will be allowed to preach the lesson of bloodshed. No one will be allowed to slit throats in the name of religion.”
He said presently all the institutions are functioning within the parameters of the Constitution. “The country has a Parliament that represents 18 billion people of Pakistan, so there is no need to take to the streets to make the country’s decisions.”
He said the nation that is engaged in a war against terrorism will not allow anyone to take their country hostage.
“There is no dictatorship or monarchy in Pakistan. The people are the actual rulers of the country,” he said.
“I respect the right for peaceful protest,” he said but added that a handful of people will not be allowed to hijack the mandate of millions of people.
He also asked the media outlets to review their freedom of expression and determine whether someone was using it to further his personal agenda.