Written By: Abdul Basit Alvi
In Pakistan, recent elections were conducted fairly and securely with the support of the Pakistani Army. However, it has become a tradition in the country to reject election results in case of defeat. Certain political parties and anti-state elements resort to unfair means and immediately blame the army for rigging, continuing this trend in the recent elections.
In a recent development, Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta made shocking revelations during a press conference at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. He admitted to perpetrating injustices in Rawalpindi Division during the elections, stating that they manipulated the outcomes by ensuring losing candidates secured leads of 50,000 to 70,000 votes. Chatta declared, “I take full responsibility for election rigging in Rawalpindi Division and voluntarily surrender myself to the police, resigning from my post. I deserve the death penalty at Rawalpindi’s Kachhari Chowk.” He implicated the Election Commission of Pakistan, Chief Election Commissioner, and Chief Justice of Pakistan in the rigging, insisting they too should resign. Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta acknowledged the harm done to the country, declaring his resignation from both his post and service.
Expressing the pressure he faced from social media and overseas Pakistanis, he revealed a suicide attempt after Fajr prayer. However, he decided to disclose the truth publicly to unburden himself, rather than succumb to an inglorious death. He voiced his anguish over political figures seeking ministerial positions while betraying the nation’s interests. Notably, Chatta absolved the Pakistan Army of involvement in the irregularities, instead implicating the Chief Justice, Election Commission, and Chief Election Commissioner.
Regrettably, there persists a culture of spreading propaganda without concrete evidence, as evidenced by this case.
The Interim Information Minister of Punjab vehemently refuted the accusations made by Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta, dismissing them as a political ploy. He asserted that only someone who is mentally unstable or psychotic would make such claims. Additionally, he pointed out that Chatta is due to retire on March 13, implying that his statements might be motivated by a desire to enhance his political standing. The minister questioned why Chatta waited ten days to come forward with his allegations and speculated that Chatta may have political affiliations or ulterior motives behind his actions. He suggested that an investigation should be conducted into Chatta’s claims, including an assessment of his mental well-being and how someone in his position could make such accusations.
Addressing journalists outside the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa emphasized the importance of presenting evidence when making accusations. He stated that accusations could be made about anything, but evidence must accompany them to validate their truth. The Chief Justice reiterated that he had no involvement in ordering elections, only in conducting them according to constitutional protocols. He challenged Chatta to provide evidence to support his allegations and questioned why Chatta implicated him without any substantiating proof. The Chief Justice highlighted the failure of attempts to prevent elections and emphasized the need for evidence-based claims.
The following day, the newly appointed Commissioner, Saif Anwar Jappa, took charge after the former Rawalpindi Commissioner, Liaquat Ali Chatta, and conducted a press conference alongside the District Returning Officers (DROs) of Jhelum, Attock, and Chakwal. Commissioner Saif Anwar Jappa refuted the allegations of electoral rigging made by his predecessor, asserting that the former commissioner had no involvement in the recent elections beyond coordination. He called for an independent inquiry into the accusations. During the press conference, the District Returning Officer of Rawalpindi demanded an investigation into the former commissioner’s claims, emphasizing that the recent elections were conducted transparently and fairly, without any undue pressure. The Deputy Commissioner of Chakwal echoed these sentiments, denying any coercion during the elections. Additionally, the DROs of Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, and Tala Gangun affirmed the transparency of the election process in all constituencies, dismissing the former commissioner’s allegations as baseless and false. They asserted that they faced no pressure during the elections.
Read More: Commissioner Rawalpindi resigns over election rigging, demands himself to be hanged
Another video statement surfaced from former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta, recorded on February 7, a day before the elections, in which he discussed the distribution of election materials, security measures, and other arrangements. In this statement, Chatta mentioned the distribution of election materials and ballot papers to presiding officers throughout the division, under the custody of the police and the army. He also mentioned overseeing the distribution process with the Regional Police Officer (RPO) and expressed confidence in the orderly conduct of the elections. Chatta further stated that the elections would be held for 13 national and 26 provincial seats in the Rawalpindi division, with monitoring of the polling process on February 8 and additional security deployed at sensitive polling stations. There is a need for an investigation into the rapid change in his statement.
Surprisingly, the former commissioner of Rawalpindi, Liaquat Ali Chattha, has recently retracted his previous statement made during a press conference. In his statement, he had accused the chief election commissioner and the chief justice of Pakistan of involvement in electoral rigging. However, Chattha has now submitted a written statement to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) retracting his allegations against CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja and CJP Qazi Faez Isa. He admitted to supporting the narrative of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding rigging in the general elections and defaming state institutions in exchange for a promising future position. According to him, a PTI leader from Lahore, with whom he had formed a close bond, made him this offer. Chattha also claimed that the entire plan was devised with the consultation and approval of PTI’s senior leadership. It’s disheartening to witness such occurrences in our country, where a high-ranking official makes baseless accusations against institutions and election transparency, without evidence, and where the media propagates such misinformation.
It’s unfortunate that we’re witnessing a political group actively fueling animosity towards government officials and institutions. This group consistently seizes every opportunity to disseminate propaganda against these institutions. It’s imperative to investigate the potential ties between former Commissioner Rawalpindi and this group. Additionally, this same group has initiated a nationwide anti-rigging campaign, alleging widespread electoral fraud resulting in the deprivation of their electoral mandate. There are reports suggesting that amidst this backdrop, a perilous campaign has been launched, wherein photos of various District Returning Officers (DROs), along with their families and children, have been exposed on social media, inciting hatred in a manner that threatens their safety. Allegedly, this campaign bears resemblance to past incidents, such as the May 9 saga, characterized by violent protests following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan.
A handful of anti-state elements persistently strive to politicize the Pakistan Army, entangling it in controversies from the outset. In a world where trust and integrity are paramount, few institutions bear as much weight and responsibility as the military. Soldiers pledge themselves to honor, duty, and sacrifice, often confronting insurmountable challenges. However, this dedication can be jeopardized when false allegations are leveled against military members. The repercussions extend beyond individual lives, impacting morale, operational effectiveness, and the bedrock of trust upon which armed forces rely. False allegations against military personnel can originate from various sources, ranging from personal vendettas to deliberate attempts to discredit individuals or the institution as a whole. Regardless of the motives behind them, the consequences are profound and multifaceted. False allegations can irreversibly harm the lives and careers of those wrongly accused. Military service often demands sacrifices not only from the service member but also from their families. A false accusation can trigger investigations, legal proceedings, and public scrutiny, tarnishing reputations and undermining years of devoted service. Even if ultimately exonerated, the shadow of suspicion may persist, affecting future opportunities and relationships. Furthermore, false allegations corrode trust within the military community, which forms the foundation of effective teamwork, cohesion, and mission success. When individuals fear being falsely accused by their comrades or superiors, it undermines the bonds of camaraderie and mutual support crucial for military operations. Suspicion and division can weaken unit cohesion, compromising both morale and operational effectiveness.
False allegations erode public trust in the military as an institution. The military relies on civilian support and confidence to fulfill its mission and safeguard national interests. High-profile cases of false accusations can breed skepticism and diminish public confidence in the integrity of the armed forces. This can have widespread implications for recruitment, funding, and public perception of military interventions and operations.
Moreover, false allegations divert valuable resources from genuine threats and challenges facing the military. Investigations into misconduct, regardless of validity, consume time, manpower, and financial resources that could be better allocated to training, equipment, and readiness. Every hour spent pursuing baseless accusations detracts from preparations for the complex and evolving threats confronting modern militaries.
In contrast to other countries, in Pakistan, there is a lack of stringent action against elements operating against institutions, and whenever attempts are made to do so, self-proclaimed advocates of human rights step forward in support of these anti-state elements. If the group in question asserts that the former Commissioner Rawalpindi’s statements are accurate, then they should also acknowledge his assertion regarding the neutrality of the Pakistan Army during elections. Additionally, another compelling argument supporting the Army’s neutrality is that if they had supported specific parties, the election results would have been markedly different, potentially resulting in clear or two-thirds majorities. The defeat of many prominent political figures from these parties further indicates that they did not receive unfair support from institutions.
Readers, it is imperative for all elements to accept the realities and election outcomes. Any reservations should be addressed through legal channels and courts rather than through mob justice, protests, or unfounded allegations. The truth is evident and apparent to the nation and the world. The Pakistan Army’s neutrality during the elections is corroborated by the election results and the statements of the former Commissioner Rawalpindi. Any attempt to drag this institution into controversies is condemned by the nation. The entire nation demands strict action against those who spread hatred and false propaganda against the Pakistan Army.
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