US calls for investigation of rigging allegations in Pakistan polls,
RAWALPINDI/WASHINGTON_Former prime minister Imran Khan has said that the US did not fulfil its responsibility against the anti-PTI measures in Pakistan, adding that America has always patronized and imposed dictators and installed corrupt people as rulers.
This was conveyed by PTI leader Barrister Saif while speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, along with senior party leader Asad Qaiser. Both apparently held a meeting with party Founder Imran Khan.
Saif said Imran Khan had sent a special message for the US, which he wanted to be highlighted and given as much weight as possible. He quoted Imran Khan as saying that the US did not fulfil its duty against the anti-PTI measures, adding that America has always patronized and imposed dictators and installed corrupt people as rulers.
Imran Khan was further quoted as saying that this was an opportunity for the US to rectify its past actions, adding that Washington should keep an eye on election rigging in Pakistan.
“It is America’s responsibility to raise its voice on the transparency of elections in Pakistan,” Imran was quoted as saying by Barrister Saif.
Moreover, Asad Qaiser also said there was concern over Washington’s silence on alleged rigging in the recent general election.
“America acts like the voice of democracy in the whole world, but both the US and Europe have maintained silence on rigging in the elections in Pakistan,” he stressed.
He further said that they wanted to remind the US and Europe of their responsibility and that the basic democratic rights of the people of Pakistan were being stolen. “We want the rule of law and the Constitution,” he remarked.
Qaiser also urged the chief justice of Pakistan to take notice of the alleged rigging, saying that representation of the people was the right of those who got votes.
While,
PTI announces countrywide protest on Saturday,
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Barrister Gohar Khan has announced that the party will organise protests across Pakistan against rigging in elections on Saturday.
PTI leadership to meet Fazlur Rehman tonight
Speaking to the media outside jail with a meeting with Imran Khan, Gohar said that the PTI founder had instructed tough opposition until the party was given its full mandate.
He said that the party was ready to work with anyone who agreed that elections had been rigged. However, he said Imran Khan had ruled out the possibility of any power sharing scheme with Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslime League Nawaz.
Gohar also added that the PTI believes it has won 180 seats as per form-45s collected by its polling agents. He added that the party would strive to get back all its seats.
He also said that the party has decided to hold peaceful protests against Pakistan on Saturday against rigging in the elections.
Sher Afzal Marwat told the media that Imran Khan had described the events of February not just as the nation’s mandate being stolen but as the independence of the nation being usurped.
He also said that the party will organise a briefing for the international media in Islamabad on Friday, where Salman Akram Raja will explain how elections were rigged.
Earlier,
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says the United States has called for rigging allegations in Pakistan general elections to be investigated.
Briefing the media in Washington on Wednesday, Matthew Miller said the US thinks that investigation of rigging is an appropriate step to take. “That is our response to questions of irregularities not just in Pakistan, but when we see them anywhere in the world and we think that they’re thoroughly investigated and resolved,” he said.
Replying to a question, he said elections in Pakistan were competitive, and we look forward to working with the government, once it’s formed, that the people of Pakistan elected.
He said formation of a coalition government is ultimately an internal matter of Pakistan. Ultimately that’s not a decision for the United States to make. It’s a decision for Pakistan to make.
Miller said there are number of countries that have parliamentary systems of government, where no party gains a majority and some kind of coalition governments are formed.
