The commission

Good news has arrived for those looking to avoid another deadlock between the PML-N and the PTI. The ruling party has finally agreed to the demand to form a judicial commission to investigate alleged rigging in the 2013 general elections. In the last few weeks, the PML-N and the PTI had offered each other conciliatory signals after an almost two-year standoff between them. The PTI has promised the return of PTI legislators to the National Assembly. In return, the PML-N has agreed to let military intelligence institutions be part of the investigation team. This had been a major point of dispute and, given the history of political manipulation by security agencies, may prove to be a trump card for the PTI and the establishment. Most major political parties have also supported the establishment of the commission, despite Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s promise to dissolve the current assemblies if any allegations of systematic rigging were proven.
Making the PML-N change its earlier tactic of slowing things down can be considered a victory for Imran Khan and the PTI. However, the PTI chairman’s declaration that the ‘judicial commission was a great success for millions of Pakistanis’ may be a bit of a stretch. Economy and security still remain key issues in people’s minds, and the government-opposition tussle has led to the latter having been handed over the armed forces. The MQM – already under fire in Karachi – has declared its opposition to the commission, citing that it violated the constitution. The position may be technically correct, but the reality is that the MQM perceives the judicial commission as another way of undercutting its strength in Karachi. The hope is that the commission will solve the existing impasse and uncertainty at the centre of government. The PML-N has also promised further election reforms for the next general election, whenever it may be. But the attitude of some PML-N leaders remains conflicted. Ahsan Iqbal has claimed that the PML-N had already sent a reference to the Supreme Court to form a judicial commission before the PTI dharna that started in August. Such statements are unbelievable – and unnecessary. What is needed is that the judicial commission be allowed to do its work in peace and without political interference. The hope is that the judicial commission will strengthen, not weaken, the democratic process in Pakistan.