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Pakistani Panel Rejects Fraud Accusations in 2013 Vote Pakistani Panel Rejects Fraud Accusations in 2013 Prime Minister Vote
(about 3 hours later)
ISLAMABAD — In a major blow to the Pakistani opposition leader Imran Khan, a judicial commission released a report on Thursday rejecting his accusations of widespread fraud and irregularities in the 2013 general elections. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — In a major blow to the Pakistani opposition leader Imran Khan, a judicial commission released a report on Thursday rejecting his accusations of widespread fraud and irregularities in the 2013 general elections.
A report by the commission, which was set up in April at Mr. Khan’s insistence, was a rare political victory for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Mr. Khan and his political allies accused Mr. Sharif of colluding with judiciary officials to rig the elections, and led huge protests last year that shut down the capital, Islamabad, for days. A report by the commission, which was set up in April at Mr. Khan’s insistence, was a rare political victory for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Mr. Khan and his political allies accused Mr. Sharif of colluding with judiciary officials to rig the elections and led huge protests last year that shut down the capital, Islamabad, for days.
“Despite some lapses by the election commission, it cannot be said on the evidence before the commission that, on an overall basis, the elections were not a true and fair reflection of the mandate given by the electorate,” said the report by the commission, a three-member panel led by Chief Justice Nasir ul-Malik.“Despite some lapses by the election commission, it cannot be said on the evidence before the commission that, on an overall basis, the elections were not a true and fair reflection of the mandate given by the electorate,” said the report by the commission, a three-member panel led by Chief Justice Nasir ul-Malik.
In blunt terms, the report stated that Mr. Khan and officials from his party, P.T.I., had not made their case compellingly after lodging accusations of ballot-box stuffing and other types of fraud.In blunt terms, the report stated that Mr. Khan and officials from his party, P.T.I., had not made their case compellingly after lodging accusations of ballot-box stuffing and other types of fraud.
In a nationally televised speech, Mr. Sharif called the decision a validation of his government, and a “mandate of the people.” In a nationally televised speech, Mr. Sharif called the decision a validation of his government and a “mandate of the people.”
“Now that the respected inquiry commission has confirmed the transparency of the 2013 polls, the door of allegations and accusations should be closed forever,” Mr. Sharif said.“Now that the respected inquiry commission has confirmed the transparency of the 2013 polls, the door of allegations and accusations should be closed forever,” Mr. Sharif said.
Mr. Khan said he would give his response Friday, but indicated that he would accept the findings. Mr. Khan said he would give his response on Friday, but he indicated that he would accept the findings.
Last August, Mr. Khan led thousands of his supporters to Islamabad and staged a sit-in outside the Parliament, claiming that he and his party had been relegated to runner-up status by fraud and calling for new elections. Last August, Mr. Khan led thousands of his supporters to Islamabad and staged a sit-in outside Parliament, claiming that he and his party had been relegated to runner-up status by fraud and calling for new elections.
The protests, which sometimes turned violent, were accompanied by accusations that the country’s powerful military establishment had backed Mr. Khan in an effort to bring down Mr. Sharif’s government. Mr. Khan and his allies were eventually forced to stand down.The protests, which sometimes turned violent, were accompanied by accusations that the country’s powerful military establishment had backed Mr. Khan in an effort to bring down Mr. Sharif’s government. Mr. Khan and his allies were eventually forced to stand down.
Raza Rumi, a columnist with The Express Tribune, said the inquiry commission’s report would probably not deter Mr. Khan’s loyal followers. But in an interview, Mr. Rumi noted that their protest and continuing campaign against Mr. Sharif had already greatly weakened the government — to the point where civilian rule itself had come into question.Raza Rumi, a columnist with The Express Tribune, said the inquiry commission’s report would probably not deter Mr. Khan’s loyal followers. But in an interview, Mr. Rumi noted that their protest and continuing campaign against Mr. Sharif had already greatly weakened the government — to the point where civilian rule itself had come into question.
“The extended sit-in did not deliver much to P.T.I., nor resulted in the overthrow of the government,” Mr. Rumi said, “but by the end of 2014, the military had assumed more powers in the country.”“The extended sit-in did not deliver much to P.T.I., nor resulted in the overthrow of the government,” Mr. Rumi said, “but by the end of 2014, the military had assumed more powers in the country.”