Printing of ballot papers and their distribution was army’s responsibility: Ahsan Iqbal

Lahore: Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said that printing of ballot papers and their distribution was responsibility of Pakistan Army, PTI to end its sit-in immediately and play its parliamentary role as opposition,continuation of the sit-ins would amount to sabotaging the forthcoming visit of the Chinese President.

Addressing a news conference along with Ministers Zahid Hamid and Anusha Rehman in Islamabad this evening, he also urged Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri to shun fascism and talk about democracy and Islam.

Ahsan Iqbal said there is no substance in allegations of rigging being leveled by PTI leader Imran Khan as fairness of 2013 general elections was acknowledged by neutral observers. He said it was ridiculous to say that the caretakers appointed by PPP Government paved the way for the victory of PML(N).

Ahsan Iqbal said for the first time Election Commission was appointed through national consensus. About initial demand of the PTI for opening of four constituencies, he said it was within the powers of the Election Tribunals and not the Government.

Referring to complaint of Imran Khan that the process of disposal of election petition was slow, he reminded him that he could not dispose of appeals against party elections in 18 months.

He also reminded him that if his allegations of massive rigging in elections were correct then why did he file petitions against only fifty out of one thousand constituencies.