PTI offered 'lucrative position' for making rigging allegations, claims ex-Rawalpindi Commissioner

Former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha has withdrawn his allegations of rigging in the February 8 general elections in Pakistan and expressed extreme shame and embarrassment for his actions. Chattha claimed he made the move in coordination with a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, according to a media report.

In a statement to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Chattha said, “I take full responsibility for my actions and surrender myself before the authorities for any kind of legal action.” This comes after a dramatic development in which Chattha tendered his resignation out of “guilty conscience” for abetting large-scale electoral rigging in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

During a rare press conference, Chattha took responsibility for the alleged rigging that he claimed took place in Rawalpindi Division, stating, “We converted the losers into winners with 50,000 votes margin.” In response to his allegations, political parties including the PTI, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and others demanded an investigation into the matter.

Chattha had also accused Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa of facilitating the rigging, prompting a demand from CJP Isa for evidence to back the allegations. However, Chattha has now retracted his statements and revealed that all of this was done in coordination with the PTI, which had reportedly offered him “lucrative positions for me in future”. This shocking turn of events has further raised the political mercury in the country.

The withdrawal of these serious allegations and the confession of coordination with a political party leader has sparked widespread concern and backlash. It remains to be seen how this development will impact the political landscape in Pakistan and whether any legal action will be taken against Chattha for his actions.

The sudden reversal by Chattha raises questions about the integrity of the electoral process and the role of political parties in influencing election outcomes. The confession has brought to light the murky world of electoral manipulation and the lengths to which some individuals may go to secure political advantages.

As the situation continues to evolve, there is growing anticipation for potential repercussions and the response from the Election Commission of Pakistan and other relevant authorities. The unfolding saga serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the democratic process, and the need for stringent measures to prevent electoral malpractices.