During a news conference, Mr. Abbasi made several claims based on a leaked report, stating that it calls for new rules of engagement for state institutions, including the military, to end political manipulation and ensure the independence of democratic institutions.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has already urged a foreign observer mission to release its report on the February 8, 2024 elections. This follows claims by the independent news outlet Drop Site News that the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) had “buried” the report after it found the general elections to be full of problems.
Mr. Abbasi insisted that, according to the leaked COG report, the Official Secrets Act was changed retrospectively after May 9 to validate the “illegal act of civilian trial in military courts as well as the trial of PTI founder Imran Khan in the cypher case.” He said the report also notes that during the February 8 polls, people were picked up, houses were raided, PTI offices were closed, and basic human rights were violated. He added that the party was not provided with a level playing field, with its fundraising being blocked and political gatherings banned.
The aide to the Chief Minister claimed the COG report states that Imran Khan was sentenced multiple times to keep him out of the elections and that the law was used as an “organized weapon.” He said the report also raises questions about lifting the lifetime ban on former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the denial of an election symbol to the PTI.
According to Mr. Abbasi, the leaked COG report observed that PEMRA laws were changed to target individuals and that journalists were murdered without any effort to bring the accused to justice. He added that the report noted the internet was shut down on election day and that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) insisted the matter was “beyond its authority” when questioned about it.
Mr. Abbasi also claimed the report declared the purpose of the internet blackout was to manipulate election results by changing Forms 45, 46, and 47. He said the COG report pointed out that the forms given to polling agents with election results were different from those uploaded to the ECP’s website. He further claimed the Election Act was changed to appoint retired judges and overturn Supreme Court decisions.
Mr. Abbasi said the report concluded that all this was done to keep one political party out of the elections, so their credibility and transparency were “zero.” He added that, according to the COG report, the “security system” in Pakistan has always been prioritized over democratic institutions.
Finally, Mr. Abbasi said that the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) launched inquiries into the “misconduct” of presiding officers that were later dismissed by the ECP. He also noted that a presiding officer was accused of forging Form-45 in provincial assembly constituencies 79 and 82, and the act was later confirmed by two presiding officers. “The statements were recorded and the misconduct was established afterward. Under the law, that crime has to be punished,” he stated, insisting that legal proceedings cannot be set aside by administrative orders.
