ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) on Saturday condemned the “coercion” faced by winning independent candidates to align with specific political parties against their will.
The statement comes as many independent candidates, most supported by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, have announced joining Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and other parties.
On Friday, seven more independent candidates including a newly-elected member of the National Assembly defected to PML-N during a meeting with party leader Maryam Nawaz and Rana Sanaullah.
“Mr Riazat Ali Sahar, Vice Chairman and Mr Farooq Hamid Naek, Chairman Executive Committee, Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) along with Mr Muhammad Ahsan Bhoon, Hafeezur Rehman Chaudhry, Pir Muhammad Masood Chishti, Mr Haroon-ur-Rashid, Mr Hassan Raza Pasha, Mr Tahir Nasrullah Warraich, Mr Mirza Aziz Akbar Baig, Syed Amjad Shah, Mr Khush Dil Khan, (members PBC) are deeply troubled by the ongoing political turmoil in the country, particularly concerning allegations of pre and post-poll rigging,” a statement by PBC said.
They said that the integrity and transparency of the electoral process, along with its outcomes, have lost credibility. They call upon all political parties and stakeholders aggrieved by the electoral process and allegations of rigging to work towards establishing an independent commission, acceptable to all political parties.
“Such a commission, free from bias and influence, is crucial to ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process that commands the trust of all citizens,” the statement said.
The members said that recent allegations and disclosures by the Rawalpindi Commissioner have added to the concerns surrounding the electoral process. “The PBC underscores the urgent need for a thorough investigation into these allegations,” it added.
Furthermore, they reiterated their previous concerns expressed before the election, regarding the performance and credibility of the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan.
“Regrettably, these concerns were disregarded, by the political parties, which resulted in contributing to the current political turmoil. Addressing such concerns in a timely manner (including the resignation of chairman ECP) could have averted the present crisis,” they said.
The PBC also condemned the coercion faced by independent candidates to align with specific political parties against their will. “Every independent candidate must have the freedom to choose their affiliation without undue pressure or interference,” the statement added.
The PBC urged all stakeholders to prioritise the restoration of trust in the electoral process and commit to upholding democratic principles for the stability and progress of Pakistan.
The members also condemned the arrest of Fawad Chaudhry and Salman Akram Raja. They regretted that when the Chief Election Commissioner played havoc with the whole election process, then the demand for justice from the same institution by the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan through a press statement seemed to be a mockery of justice.
