Commissioner Resigned
In a dramatic twist within Pakistani politics, Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta has resigned, alleging widespread electoral malpractice orchestrated by returning officers under his jurisdiction. Chatta’s startling admission during a press conference in Islamabad detailed how results for at least 13 MNA (Member of the National Assembly) candidates in Rawalpindi Division were manipulated, with losing candidates inexplicably declared winners with significant, unjust margins of 50,000 votes each.
Chatta, in a stunning act of contrition, not only stepped down from his position but also admitted culpability in the rigging scheme, asserting that such actions warranted capital punishment. He revealed the distressing sight of returning officers in tears, a testament to the enormity of the electoral fraud perpetrated.
The commissioner’s disclosure took a deeply personal turn as he confessed to grappling with thoughts of suicide after Friday prayers but ultimately resolved to expose the truth to the public. He issued a fervent plea to the bureaucracy to abstain from serving politicians harboring ministerial ambitions, urging them to uphold integrity and transparency in governance.
The ramifications of Chatta’s revelations reverberate beyond mere scandal, as Shaukat Piracha of Aaj News pointed out. The disclosures are poised to become pivotal evidence in a petition before the Supreme Court of Pakistan, challenging the validity of the February 8 election and seeking its annulment.
Tariq Chaudhry, the Islamabad Bureau Chief of Aaj News, underscored the importance of scrutinizing who stands to benefit from the commissioner’s exposé. Rawalpindi Division, encompassing districts like Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, and Jhelum, remains at the center of this tumultuous political storm.
Significantly, figures like PTI’s Ayaz Amir, who initially claimed electoral success on February 8, now join the chorus of those alleging foul play, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for transparency and accountability in Pakistan’s electoral processes.
