In a stunning turn of events, Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha submitted his resignation as soon as he revealed that he had overseen the “manipulation” of the results of the general elections on February 8, Dawn reported. “I am taking responsibility for all this wrongdoing,” Chatha said to reporters outside the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Dawn reported that he claimed to have “involved” the chief election commissioner and a senior Supreme Court judge. “By using phony stamps, we caused the Independent candidate, who was leading by 70,000–80,000 votes, to lose,” he declared.
The commissioner stated further that “stabbing the country in its back” does not let him sleep, according to Dawn.
“I should be punished for the injustice I have done and others who were involved in this should also be punished,” he added.
Earlier, addressing a press conference at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Chatha said there was “pressure” on him to the extent that he contemplated suicide in the morning but then resolved to present matters before the public.
“It is my request to the entire bureaucracy to not do anything wrong for all these political people,” he added.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) stated that it “strongly rejected the allegations against the ECP or the chief election commissioner” in response to Chatha’s accusations. However, the electoral watchdog claimed in a press release that none of its representatives had ever given Chatha instructions for a “change in the election results.” It declared, “The commissioner of any division is never appointed as a district returning officer, presiding officer, or as someone who directly oversees election administration.” Nonetheless, the report states that the election commission stated it will look into the issue as soon as feasible.
Meanwhile, caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi ordered an impartial investigation into Chatha’s claims and also announced the formation of a high-level inquiry committee.
Punjab’s caretaker Information Minister Amir Mir, too, dismissed Chatha’s claims, demanding that he furnish evidence to support his allegations.
The PML-N, meanwhile, hit out at Chatha’s statements, claiming they were part of a ploy to hog publicity and attention.
Meanwhile, contrary to media reports, Rawalpindi Police clarified that Chatha had not been arrested.
