CJP rejects Pindi Commissioner’s allegations

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa has strongly denied the allegations leveled by Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta saying that they are ‘baseless’.

Chatha made explosive claims on Saturday, asserting that the results of the February 8 general elections were “manipulated” under his watch.

“I am taking responsibilty for all this wrongdoing,” said Chatta. He alleged that the chief election commissioner and the Chief Justice were “involved in this”.

However, CJP Faez Esa speaking to reporters clarified that these allegations are baseless and asked the Commissioner to provide evidence if there is any reality.

“Levelling allegations is the right, but you have to provide evidence to back it up,” he said in an informal meeting with journalists.

Moreover, the spokesperson for Election Commission also denied all the allegations and said that the Chief Election Commissioner or any official of Election Commission never issued any instructions to the Commissioner Rawalpindi to change the election results.

The spokesperson further said that the commissioner of any division is not a DRO, RO or presiding officer, nor does the commissioner has any direct role in the conduct of the election.

Admitting his role in rigging, Liaquat Ali Chatta said that results of candidates having lead of 70,000 votes were changed, announcing them as losers.

“I offer myself to police for my role in election rigging, he said. I even made an attempt to commit suicide this morning after prayers,” he said.

The commissioner said that they rigged results of 13 candidates from Rawalpindi announcing them as winners while those in lead of votes were declared as losers.

“I have done injustice in Rawalpindi division, Chatta regretted. I should be hanged at Rawalpindi Kachehri Chowk, I accept the responsibility of election rigging in Rawalpindi Division and surrender myself to the police,” the commissioner continued.

He urged that the Chief Election Commissioner and others should also be punished.