Commission on vote rigging allegations: Prime Minister eyes broad-based support but MQM, ANP show opposition

Prime Min-ister Nawaz Sharif yesterday took parliamentary leaders of political parties into confidence on an agreement that his government has reached with Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) on the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the vote rigging allegations. A statement issued by the Prime Minister's office stated that the matter of forming a judicial commission was deliberated in detail and it was decided to go ahead with the formation of a judicial commission.
However, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Farooq Sattar told the media after the meeting that his party has opposed the formation of judicial commission because it was not in conformity with the Constitution. He added that no crucial legislation can over-ride the constitution and the formation of the judicial commission is a violation of Articles 225 and 189 of the Constitution. Dr Sattar said he has also requested time from Prime Minister apprise him about his ongoing operation in Karachi. According to reports, Awami National Party (ANP) has also opposed the formation of judicial commission. Some parties have raised constitutional and legal reservations about the formation of judicial commission, but the Prime Minister's office claimed that they have decided to support the government on this matter in the interest of democracy and political stability. The Prime Minister said PML-N wants to take all political forces onboard on matters of national importance. Nawaz Sharif further stated that he had written on 13th August 2014 a letter on the need for formation of a judicial commission.
Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar briefed the meeting about the details of negotiations. The Prime Minister said all the parties must work together against energy crisis, terrorism and extremism. The Prime Minister said we want to remove misgivings among the political parties through a dialogue process.
Participants of the meeting congratulated the Prime Minister and the negotiating team on their success. Syed Khursheed Shah said now PTI MNAs must return to the National Assembly. The political leaders appreciated that a political solution to the problem was finally found.
The meeting was attended by Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah, leader of the opposition, Dr Farooq Sattar of MQM, Akram Khan Durrani Minister for Housing of JUI, Pir Sadruddin Shah of PML (F), Mehmood Khan Achakzai of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (KMAP), Siraj ul Haq and Sahibzada Tariqullah of JI, Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour of Awami National Party (ANP), Muhammad Ijaz Ul Haq of PML (Z), Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao of Quami Watan Party (QWP), Dr Ghazi Gulab Jamal from FATA, Chaudhary Aitzaz Ahsan, Leader of the Opposition in Senate, Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo of National Party, Rehman Malik of PPP, Kalsoom Parveen of PML (N).
Ishaq Dar, Minister for Finance, Minister for Information Pervaiz Rasheed, Khawaja Saad Rafique Minister for Railways, Lieutenant-General (R) Abdul Qadir Baloch, Minister for SAFRON, and Minister of State for Information Technology Anusha Rahman, Special Assistants to the Prime Minister Khawaja Zaheer, etc, also attended the meeting.