Pakistan opposition leader Imran Khan offers new way to end Pakistan political impasse

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan opposition leader Imran Khan today asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to appoint a commission under the Supreme Court to probe allegations of rigging in the last year's general election.

Addressing a huge rally of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party supporters in Rahimyar Khan city in Punjab, he said that Sharif should resign if fraud in the election was proved.

It was a major concession by cricketer-turned-politician as previously he had always demanded Sharif's resignation ahead of the probe, charging that Sharif, being in a position of power, will try to influence the investigation.

"I offer you to form a commission under Supreme Court to investigate 2013 elections...If the commission accepts fraud in elections, you [Nawaz] will have to resign and hold fresh elections," said Imran.

He said the commission should also include officials from army's Military Intelligence and Inter-Services Intelligence agency.

He also demanded that the probe should complete its work within four to six weeks.

Imran has been protesting in front of the parliament since August, demanding Sharif's resignation, whom he accuses of rigging the last year's general elections.

Sharif promised probe into the rigging allegations, but has refused to resign.

The government has so far not responded to the new proposal by Imran to end the political impasse, which the government alleges, has caused a massive loss to the national exchequer.

In August, Sharif has requested the Supreme Court to set up a three-member judicial commission to probe allegations of rigging in polls. The apex court, till date, has not taken any action.

Pressure is mounting on Imran to call off the protests. But he is adamant and has asked workers to prepare for massive protest in the capital on November 30, if the stalemate continues.