- Says he held a highly emotional press conference at behest of a political party
- DROs, ROs of Rawalpindi Division categorically rejected poll rigging allegations
ISLAMABAD: Former Rawalpindi commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha, who had quit his post last week after ‘startling revelations’ about poll rigging, on Thursday issued a public apology and expressed regret at his statements.
In a recorded statement before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) committee on Thursday, Chattha acknowledged that he had made the rigging allegations at the behest of a political party, without explicitly naming Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
According to ECP sources, Mr Chattha appeared before the committee and recorded his statement in response to a notice sent by the investigation committee. The ECP has since completed its investigation into the allegations of rigging made by Chattha.
Sources revealed that all the District Returning Officers (DROs) and Returning Officers (ROs) of Rawalpindi Division have categorically rejected the accusations of rigging in the elections levelled by the former commissioner. The inquiry committee collected written statements from all six DROs of Rawalpindi Division.
During his fiery press conference last week, Chattha had raised serious concerns about election rigging. However, in his recent statement before the ECP committee, he attributed his actions to political pressure from the PTI leadership, without naming the party. Chattha admitted to orchestrating a press conference filled with drama and emotional rhetoric, including phrases related to suicide and hanging, under the guidance of the political party.
In his statement, Chattha expressed remorse, stating, “I am ashamed of the statement and apologise to the people.” He disclosed that, at the time of the press conference, he was retiring on March 9 and was concerned about his future and benefits. Chattha revealed that he had been in contact with a high-ranking figure in the political party and had covertly assisted them in exchange for the promise of a high position.
According to Chattha’s account to the ECP committee, the emotional and drama-filled press conference was planned following the orders of the political party leadership. Importantly, he clarified that no RO was involved in any rigging processes, refuting his earlier allegations.
