JC hearing: PTI counsel cross-examines Security Printing Press MD

The commission constituted with a presidential ordinance to inquire into alleged rigging in Pakistan’s 2013 general election headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Nasirul Mulk.

Three-member judicial commission also comprises of Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Ejaz Afzal.

Senior lawyer Abdul Hafeez Pirzada representing Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf, cross-examined Managing Director Security Printing Press.

Managing Director Rizwan Ahmed informed the hearing that over 73.3 million ballot papers were printed by the press. Replying a question of Pirzada he expressed his ignorance about the time of the printing of additional ballot papers. He said the printing of the ballot papers was completed before May 09 and the ballots were printed on the orders of the election commission.

On a query about the reprinting of the ballot papers he said under the court orders the ballots were reprinted on eight occasions under the court orders.

On a question, Security Printing Press MD said that in 2001 elections the number of constituencies was 256, which increased to 371 in 2013 general elections, so as additional paper was purchased on April 25 and afterward.

Earlier, the PTI counsel told the commission that the election commission has filed its reply to the commission but he don’t know the official who submitted the reply.

The counsel of the election commission Salman Akram Raja answered that the reply of the commission was filed with the signature of the Secretary Election Commission and a list of witnesses also annexed with it.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan also attended the hearing of the Judicial Commission today.