RAWALPINDI: In a stunning occurrence, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Liaquat Ali Chatha resigned on Saturday, citing “guilty conscience” for allowing large-scale electoral cheating in the garrison city, raising the country’s political temperature.
Chatha announced his resignation from his office during a news conference at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, saying that he had done harm to the people of his city.
The Rawalpindi Division has 13 National Assembly seats, 11 of which were won by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidates. The remaining seats were won by one independent candidate and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). The division also includes 27 provincial seats, 15 of which the PML-N won and 11 of which went to independent candidates.
Following his surprising remarks, authorities first claimed that he had been arrested, but a Rawalpindi police spokesperson later denied that the top officer had been detained.
During the rare press conference, the commissioner accepted responsibility for the “rigging” that he alleged occurred in Rawalpindi Division. “We converted the losers into winners by 50,000 votes,” he said as he surrendered to the authorities.
“I apologise to the returning officers of my division,” he stated, adding that his subordinates were crying over what they were told to do.
Chatha alleged that even now, election officials place false stamps on ballot papers. “We wronged the country […] I should be executed at Rawalpindi’s Kachehri Chowk” was what he said.
The official admitted to attempting suicide this morning, citing pressure from social media and abroad Pakistanis.
“It is not unknown who is committing such wrongdoing and who’s behind it.””13 National Assembly candidates who were losing were forced to win by up to 70,000 votes,” he said.
