F.P. Report
RAWALPINDI: In a surprising turn of events, the Ex-Commissioner Rawalpindi, Liaquat Chatha, on Thursday withdrew all his allegations related to rigging in the general elections 2024 and apologized to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
In a recorded statement before the ECP’s investigative committee, Chatha revealed that he was under huge pressure due to retirement and surrendered before the authorities. The former commissioner clarified that he did not direct any Returning Officer (RO) or interfere in anyone’s support during the general election of 2024.
The ex-commissioner clarified that he never instructed any Returning Officer to show favoritism or intervene in the election process. “With a 32-year service record, I was scheduled to retire on March 13, 2024, and held concerns about potential loss of benefits in the future. I deeply regret my statement and offer a sincere apology to the nation,” Chatha stated.
The former commissioner revealed that during his role as Punjab’s secretary, he forged close ties with a political party official, aiming for future advantages. “The party official went into hiding due to involvement in the May 9 incidents, I was in touch with him and also used to assist him secretly,” he said.
Liaquat Chatta disclosed a covert meeting with the leader of a political party in Lahore on February 11 and was tasked with devising a plan to ‘confirm’ allegations of election rigging, however, concerned about the potential ineffectiveness of the accusations, he opted to conduct an emotionally charged press conference. The former Rawalpindi commissioner revealed that, according to the political leader, the plan had the backing of a particular party’s top leadership. The press conference was strategically tied to a party’s protest plan.
Chatta admitted that adding the Chief Justice’s name was a deliberate move to fuel animosity among the people. He emphasized never receiving any instructions for rigging from anyone, including the ECP. He extended an apology to all government employees for his rigging allegations.
“Throughout this time, I had direct contact with him and I kept on discreetly helping him on various issues. Consequently, my relationship with said prominent PTI leader evolved into a very close friendship based on a high-level of trust.” The statement mentioned that Chatha, after the February 8 elections, had “secretly and discreetly travelled to Lahore” to meet the PTI leader on Feb 11.
“It was in this meeting, that he made an offer to me that if I play a role for supporting the PTI’s ongoing narrative of rigging in elections and maligning state institutions, he would ensure a lucrative position for me in future.” Chatha said that the PTI leader told him that the entire planning had been formulated after consultation and approval of the senior leadership of the PTI.
“This proposal was made by the said individual in consideration of the fact that I was about to retire from service. He was also aware of the fact that I was under pressure due to this forthcoming retirement. After having remained a part of the services for 32 years, it is naturally hard for any civil servant to let go of all perks, privileges, and authorities.” Chatha told the ECP that he had a detailed discussion on the proposed press conference and he was informed that the general direction which was needed to be adopted.
“Initially, it was proposed by me that I would write the entire narrative and submit the same as part of my resignation. However, this proposal was dropped by the said prominent PTI leader as such written resignation would not create any sensations for their narrative building,” he said. After detailed discussions, he said, it was agreed that a press conference would be conducted by him at a time and date to be conveyed after consultation and approval of the senior PTI leadership. The primary aim of this proposed press conference, Chatha said, was to create sensations and drama augmenting false narratives being built by the PTI.
Similarly, Chatha said, it was agreed that he would give sweeping and emotional statements by suggesting that all the seats were being won by the PTI candidates and that he helped in changing the entire results against the PTI. “Anyone having knowledge of the election process would know that such/ sweeping shifts cannot possibly be made in elections by the Returning Officers (ROs). However, these generalised statements were thought to be sufficient for purposes of malicious narrative building.” It was with the same intent of creating drama and sensation that during the press Conference, Chatha said, he had stated that he attempted to commit suicide and that he should be hanged in public.
“These were well-thought statements which were made with the specific aim of creating drama and sensations, which aim was fulfilled to a large extent.” Moving on, he noted that the name of CJP Isa was taken with the aim of creating mistrust in the general public against him. “The chief justice did not have any role in the entire election process.”
“However, I was specifically asked by said prominent leader of PTI to name the CJP. He told me that he had been specifically asked by his top leadership to do so. The aims behind naming the CJP were manifold.” Similarly, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) SIkander Sultan Raja was named with the aim of raising questions on the entire elections process throughout Pakistan, he said.
Moreover, the former commissioner said he addressed the presser on February 17 when PTI had called for countrywide protests against rigging as part of the plan. “In the end, I feel extremely ashamed and embarrassed for making totally false, concocted, anti-state, and malicious statement in the press conference. This activity caused embarrassment for me as well as for entire bureaucratic fraternity,” he added.
