ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has termed the report of the Judicial Commission which rejected the PTI’s allegations of organised rigging in the 2013 general elections a new beginning in the country’s political history.

“The chapter of smears and allegations must now close forever. We are trying to forget whatever transpired after the last general elections, but how the country was maligned worldwide by making a free and fair exercise a controversial one will be difficult to overlook,” the prime minister said in the only direct, and somewhat harsh, reference to PTI chairman Imran Khan during his 15-minute address to the nation following the release of the Judicial Commission’s report.

Chiefly woven around the three ‘terms of reference’ under which the commission has given its findings, Mr Sharif left little doubt as to whom he was alluding to when he expressed the hope that “the elements who wasted precious time of the nation” would not repeat the mistake.

He read out the three ‘terms of reference’ and the final outcome of the investigation.

Asks opponents to learn lessons from commission’s findings

A confident-looking prime minister said that the country had paid a heavy price due to constant political instability and uncertainty. Otherwise, he added, “we would have progressed at par with other developed nations and it is still possible if we forget our bitter past”.

Recalling the difficult days during PTI’s sit-in in Islamabad, Mr Sharif said by constituting the judicial commission, the government had put itself in the dock. He said by providing a written assurance that “the government will go home” in case the allegations of rigging were found to be true, his government had made an unprecedented move.

“I am happy that with the findings of the commission the mandate of people has been confirmed. Besides, it showed maturity of democracy and constitution in the country,” he added.

The prime minister reiterated his government’s stance that it was all for sweeping electoral reforms and if the need arose, “we will support constitutional amendments for the purpose”.

An electoral reforms committee was already working on it and “I was the one who wrote to the speaker of National Assembly for constitution of the electoral reforms committee”, he added.

Apparently, Mr Sharif reminded his own government that gone were the days when governments used to feed people with shallow slogans and emotional speeches, because there was no time left for such antics. “Now we have to account for every single moment.”

In a passing reference, Mr Sharif touched upon macro level economic indicators of the national economy, and hopped that after three years, the situation would improve further. He also briefly touched on the ongoing military operation against militants and relief efforts in flood affected areas.

“I assure that come what may the government will take the ongoing military operation against terrorists to its logical conclusion.”

In his concluding remarks, Mr Sharif said that he believed in the politics of principles, and not politics for power. “To this end I will continue my efforts day in and day out.”

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2015

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