Former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaqat Ali Chatha reversed his stance on Thursday, retracting his accusations of vote tampering in the 2024 general election just days after a fiery press conference. Chatha, who had previously resigned from his position citing widespread electoral fraud, now confessed to his involvement in rigging within the Rawalpindi Division. He disclosed that the returning officers under his supervision had manipulated the results for at least 13 candidates.
In a surprising turn, Chatha pointed fingers at Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa for their alleged roles in the rigging. Subsequently, he surrendered himself to the authorities for legal proceedings. His initial claims had sparked widespread concern, prompting calls from various political factions, including the PTI, for a thorough investigation.
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However, Chatha has since retracted his statements in a recorded testimony to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). He admitted that his accusations were orchestrated at the behest of the PTI, citing his close ties with a prominent figure within the party. He revealed detailed discussions with the said PTI leader prior to the press conference, indicating that the primary objective was to sensationalize and fabricate a false narrative.
Furthermore, Chatha clarified that the mention of Chief Justice Isa was intended to sow distrust among the public, emphasizing that the Chief Justice had no involvement in the electoral process. The reversal of Chatha’s allegations brings a new twist to the unfolding drama surrounding the integrity of the 2024 general election.
