PPP demands probe into rigging allegations by Rawalpindi commissioner

Liaquat Ali

Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Saturday demanded an investigation into the allegations made by Commissioner Rawalpindi Liaquat Ali Chattha regarding rigging in February 8 general elections.

PPP leader Faisal Karim Kundi said the commissioner had made startling revelations that need to be investigated, saying his party has reservations regarding the elections.

He said facts must be made public after conducting a probe into the allegations.

Earlier in the day, Chattha resigned from his post on Saturday, admitting that elections in his division were “rigged”.

Speaking at a press conference at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Chattha revealed that he had attempted suicide earlier in the day due to overwhelming guilt.

He stated that he was turning himself in to the police, taking responsibility for the incident.

Chattha expressed remorse for forcing his subordinates to engage in wrongdoing and admitted that winning candidates were made to lose on 13 seats in the Rawalpindi division.

The commissioner accused Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja of being complicit in the rigging and asserted that he, along with the CEC and Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, deserved punishment, even the death penalty, for their injustice.

Chattha disclosed that after attempting suicide during the Fajr prayer, he decided to come forward with the truth. He confessed to experiencing sleepless nights due to the betrayal of trust toward the people and the country.