Ex-CJ demands probe into reasons behind sit-in

ISLAMABAD: Former Chief Justice (CJ) Iftikhar Chaudhry on Monday demanded a detailed inquiry into the reasons behind the sit-in and the allegations leveled by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Chairman Imran Khan against judges of superior and lower courts.
He said that an inquiry must be held to know why Imran blamed so many people. He demanded that the state must take this inquiry to its logical end.Holding a press conference in the federal capital, Chaudhry said that Imran Khan alleged so many people of rigging but failed to prove anything so an inquiry must be held. “Imran Khan hurled so many allegations. State must hold an inquiry to know the reasons behind the sit-in”, he said.
He said Article 6 of the constitution contends that such kind of allegations against judges and institutions are tantamount to subversion of the constitution. He said Imran Khan has leveled allegations against him since his retirement but could not give any evidence regarding his involvement in rigging before the commission. “I offered the inquiry commission to appear in witness box to respond to Imran Khan’s allegations but I was not summoned,” he recalled.
Referring to PTI chief Imran Khan’s complaint for not taking up rigging issue during his tenure, Chaudhry said that no proper petition was moved by PTI as they had filed miscellaneous application in Worker Party case, wherein they had demanded the verification of them impression of voters in four constituencies but it was not possible due to certain reasons.
Replying to a question about starting his political carrier, he said he would make an announcement in this regard on December 25. He said verdict of the General Election Inquiry Commission (GEIC) on the 2013 elections was a victory of truth. He termed the inquiry commission’s report as a milestone in the country’s history.
He also asked the government, political parties and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to introduce electoral reforms in order to avoid any rigging allegations in the future.The people who were talking of alleged rigging are now seen as liars and the judicial commission has proved that elections were free and fair, he added.
“I am thankful to Allah Almighty who made us triumphant against fake allegations about the last general elections and the recent judgment of the commission proved that the judiciary remained impartial during the last polls,” Chaudhry claimed.
“We need to examine the situation that developed following allegations of rigging in the general elections. We have to bring reforms so that no one could take advantage of the politics of blame,” he said.