ISLAMABAD, Aug 19 (TNS): Chairman Standing committee on Interior Rehman Malik has urged the newly elected Prime Minister Imran Khan to constitute a committee as soon as possible to investigate into the complaints regarding general elections 2018.
Senator A. While addressing a press conference at his residence in Islamabad here on Sunday, Senator A. Rehman Malik said that Parliament of Pakistan has the right to oversee and monitor the Elections therefore the Senate Standing Committee on Interior was nominated by the Senate of Pakistan to oversee and monitor General Elections – 2018 and its security.
He said that Committee so far has held seven meetings to oversee and monitor the general elections out of which four meetings held before elections and three meetings after the election.
He said during the meetings security arrangements on the polling day were reviewed and considered the complaints regarding the irregularities on Election Day. He said that in this regard, the Committee had submitted second progress report to the Upper House enlisting all the components and progress achieved so far. He said that the committee will again meet soon to review the reports of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), NADRA, Cabinet Division and all other stakeholders regarding complaints and reservations of political parties, media on free, fair, & transparent and security of General Elections, 2018.
Senator A. Rehman Malik said that Senate Standing Committee on Interior had done great job by investigating the complaints technically as we had completed almost 80 percent of the work and we are working over it day and night. He added that his committee will continue the parliamentary investigations as we are very much concerned about the failure of Result Transmission system (RTS) and other irregularities reported.
Chairman Committee Senator A. Rehman Malik said that the Committee has already sorted out reports from Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on very specific points.
Chairman Committee Senator A. Rehman Malik said that the committee has also sent letters to various stakeholders to ascertain the exact reasons which led to create a chaos and controversies on the legitimacy and authenticity of General Elections, 2018.
He further said that a letter on the Failure of Result Transmission System (RTS) and Result Management System (RMS) was sent to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on 26th July, 2018 and in its compliance, the ECP has sent a letter to Cabinet Division on 2nd August, 2018 to hold an inquiry on failure of RTS and RMS Systems. He added that separate letters on discovery of stamped ballot papers from dustbins, road-sides and other public places were also written to the I.GPs and Home Secretaries of all provinces on 6th August, 2018 which will be analyzed and reviewed in the upcoming meeting of the committee.
The Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Senate nominated Coordinator Senator A. Rehman Malik stated that the entire findings and observations of Senate Standing Committee on Interior is the preliminary inquiry into the complaints and reservations of political parties, media and general public on holding free, fair and transparent General Elections, 2018. He added that this probe is Parliamentary probe duly authority by the Senate House through a letter on 12th July, 2018 by the Senate Secretariat on direction of the Chairman Senate of Pakistan on the floor of the House. He added that the Parliamentary Probe Committee was consisting of 18 senators.
Senator A. Rehman Malik said that it must be mentioned here that the Committee has worked very hard for compilation of the Preliminary Report on General Elections, 2018 and the “Progress Report of the Committee on Free, Fair and Transparent Elections, / Security of General Elections, 2018”. He said that the report shall be made public once it is placed before the House in its upcoming session and the report will be presented in the House as second inquiry report for kind information of the Senate. He said that the Report contains detailed deliberations on the subject wherein all the security aspects, observations and complaints regarding reported irregularities in General Election, 2018 were examined thoroughly in presence of all relevant authorities and the committee is continuously probing further as per attached TORs. He added that considerable investigative work as per the TORS has been done on the complaints and questions raised from various political parties and section of media. Further report based on additional material received shall be submitted within due course of time, he added.
Senator A. Rehman Malik said that the committee has finalized the TOR’s to know about the technical failure of Result Transmission system (RTS) as there are reports that RTS was functioning well and accurate so how did it broke down, the people of Pakistan should know. He said that he suggests that a parliamentary committee should be made consisting of its members from both houses of Parliament to investigate into allegations.
Meanwhile Senator A. Rehman Malik felicitated Mr. Imran Khan on becoming the Prime Minister of Pakistan and wished him the best of luck. He said that he expects that Imran Khan will fulfill the promises he had made with the people of Pakistan during election campaign.
Senator A. Rehman Malik highly applauded his party PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for his historic and mature speech in National Assembly on August 17, 2018 and said the he is proud of his young chairman.
Senator A. Rehman Malik has urged the Prime Minister Imran Khan to constitute a committee as soon as possible to investigate into the complaints regarding general elections 2018.
Answering to a question, Senator Rehman Malik said that the PM Modi’s mindset is well exposed by Indian media that is furious over Navjot Singh Sidhu’s visit to Pakistan. He said unfortunately India couldn’t even tolerate a single former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu’s visit to Pakistan who came here to attend oath taking ceremony of his friend Imran Khan. He said our (Pakistanis) hearts are open as four-member delegation from Pakistan led by Caretaker law and information minister Ali Zafar attended last rites of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi.
Senator A. Rehman Malik highly appreciated Pakistan Army for maintaining peace and law and order on Election Day across the country. He said that he appreciate Pakistan Army, Police and all law enforcement agencies for maintaining peace across the country on Election Day.
Senator A. Rehman Malik also briefed the media about the mysterious death of three sisters who were found dead in Cholistan and said that the committee has ordered formation of high powered JIT headed by Police officer of Additional IGP rank which is investigating the murder and will submit the report to the committee in six weeks. He said that meanwhile Committee has appointed the coordinating committee under the supervision of Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmad to supervise the case. Senator A. Rehman Malik announced Rs.25 lac as reward if anyone helps the JIT or coordinating committee about the culprits involved in the heinous crime of murdering three sisters.
