Islamabad: Pakistan’s ruling party has adopted a conciliatory tone in the wake of a verdict by a judicial commission, which dismissed allegations of rigging in the 2013 nation election and ruled that the polls were conducted fairly.

Facing embarrassment and criticism, the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the main critic of the 2013 election, was in the process of chalking out strategy to overcome political damage it suffered.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in his address to the nation on Thursday, after the report of the judicial commission was released, said the verdict marked the beginning of a new era in Pakistan.

The prime minister called fo collective efforts by political parties for progress and stability of the country, leaving behind past bitterness and confrontation.

He did not mention PTI or its chairman Imran Khan in his address, while urging pursuit of “politics of values” instead of power.

Khan accepted the verdict, stressing that his party’s struggle had served the cause of strengthening democracy in the country.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the verdict of the judicial commission was on merit and in the best interests of the country.

Talking to reporters in Islamabad on Friday, Dar said after the decision of the Commission, the allegations of the PTI stand withdrawn automatically.

He said the PTI should now play its active role in the National Assembly, where it enjoys the third position after the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N and Pakistan People’s Party.

“We should work together to take the country forward on the path of progress and prosperity,” said the finance minister, a close confidante of the prime minister.

Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said the report of the commission was a step forward for the collective conscience of people of the country.

In an interview with the state broadcaster, Rashid emphasised the need for working together to overcome challenges of terrorism, energy shortages and unemployment.

The information minister after the planned electoral reforms, elections in future will be more free, fair and transparent and will strengthen democracy.

“The judicial commission’s report is not a win or loss for anyone,” Rashid said.

Several other politicians belonging to the ruling party termed the report “victory of democracy in the country.”

In PTI-ruled northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a key opposition leader, Asfandyar Wali Khan, urged Imran Khan to seek apology from nation over the agitation he had led last year over allegations of rigging.

In a statement, Wali Khan, who is chief Awami National Party, said all segments of the society including political parties should accept the report of the judicial commission.

Veteran politician Javed Hashmi, a former leader in PTI, said the judicial verdict had darkened Imran Khan’s political future.

“Imran Khan made the PTI and he is now destroying it,” Hashmi said in a statement published on Friday.