Pakistan judicial commission completes probe into 2013 poll rigging

ISLAMABAD: A high-level panel probing the alleged rigging of the 2013 general elections in Pakistan today completed its proceedings but reserved its verdict.

The commission was set up in April to hold an impartial enquiry of allegations by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (PTI) to determine if the general elections of 2013 were rigged to help Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif win a majority.

A three-judge body headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk and comprising of Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan held 39 hearings during 86-day proceedings and examined 69 witnesses.

The commission reserved the verdict which is expected to be delivered in coming weeks but no specific date was given.

An official said that the Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk will retire on August 18 and he should give the verdict before that.

The PTI held mass protests last year to force the government resign as it accused it of coming to power through fraudulent polls.

It later reached an agreement with the government in March after prolonged negotiations for independent probe through a judges of the Supreme Court.

According to the agreement, the government will call fresh elections if it was proved that it was involved in systematic rigging to get power.

It is believed that the PTI failed to produce compelling evidence before the commission to prove fraud in the 2013 elections.