Islamabad: A top-level judicial commission set up by the government in April to investigate alleged rigging in 2013 general election in Pakistan concluded its task on Friday.
The verdict of three-member commission headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Malik and including two other Supreme Court judges will have a far-reaching impact on the country’s politics.
It was not yet known when the commission will give its judgement, while a war of words has intensified between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) and the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) headed by Imran Khan.
Most opposition parties had alleged poll manipulation and became a party to the judicial inquiry.
But the commission was established in the wake of a 126-day sit-in protest by PTI in front of parliament in Islamabad that created turmoil and political instability.
An agreement on the terms of reference of a probe commission was reached between negotiators from the two sides after which the government notified the three-member panel.
The commission held 38 working sessions after starting its task on April 16, recording statements of political leaders and witnesses and hearing arguments from counsels of both sides.
After each session, PML-N and PTI leaders exchanged barbs and accusations daily, both claiming the judicial decision was likely to be in their favour.
PTI chairman Imran Khan has publicly committed that his party would abide by whatever decision is given by the commission, while insisting that re-election is the way to ensure true democratic dispensatin in Pakistan.
