No doubt his reaction to this profound development is a sober view of the situation. It is also heartening to note that Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan has accepted the commission's verdict. "I had said when the judicial commission was formed that whatever the result will be, we will accept the verdict, therefore I accept the report," he was quoted as saying. Little does Imran know that he caused a self-inflicted wound on his body as the report has thrown up an opportunity for PML-N to extract maximum political gains out of his loss of moral high ground from where he always produced a critique of something. Although the `moral high ground' perspective is normally associated with intellectual or political snobbery or the trait of condescending to those of lower social or political status, Imran found it to be a legitimate way of taking up a firm stance on every particular issue. The credibility of the 2013 general elections was also one such issue for him. However, those who are calling for his head must not lose sight of the fact that the commission in its report has also concluded that "the commission is of the view that the PTI was not entirely unjustified in requesting the establishment of a body to inquire into its suspicions and allegations regarding the 2013 general elections". Pakistan People's Party too has asked Imran to apologise to the nation. It must recall that it was not Imran Khan but party co-chairman and former President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari who cast the first stone at the credibility of the election by terming it an "ROs' election". Like other parties, it too participated in the judicial commission's proceedings actively. Its counsel, Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, tried to make a strong case with a view to successfully persuading Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk-led commission to reject the fairness of the 2013 general elections. But the evidence produced by the parties that carried the burden of proof or simper necessitas probandi incumbit ei qui agit (the necessity of proof always lies with the person who lays charges) was not found to be convincing by a commission which is seemingly beyond any reproach because of high integrity and professionalism of the judges who manned it laboriously, diligently and honestly. Moreover, the conduct of the Chief Justice in particular is said to be guided by deep ethics.
The report has clearly vindicated the then Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry's position who had been accused of orchestrating the polls in favour of Nawaz Sharif's party through a controversial address to the Returning Officers (ROs). The report seems to have acquitted the then interim Punjab Chief Minister, Najam Sethi, who is more known for his successes than his integrity or adherence to a strict moral or ethical code, of charges of carrying out "35 punctures" or helping PML-N perform better in the largest province of the country. It has also helped urban Sindh-based Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) legitimize, protect and preserve its mandate the genuineness of which was challenged by not only Imran Khan's PTI but also Jamaat-e-Islami, the key representative party prior to the birth of MQM.
It is quite clear that PTI has failed to produce cogent evidence to substantiate its argument with regard to vote rigging allegations. Moreover, its acquiescence to the terms of reference essentially set by PM's shrewd and astute point-man Ishaq Dar who successfully cashed in on its over-optimism or political naivety that characterised party's case throughout the 126-day dharna in Islamabad and later was like losing a very important toss on a wicket that adversely contributed to PTI's prospects when the first ball of match was bowled. That the match was a strong reflection of an ageing Imran's lack of net practice is a fact that found its best expression in the initial proceedings of the match: not only did Nawaz earn a no-ball run to his team's credit on the scoreboard, he also claimed a free-hit to smash a six off Imran in his swashbuckling match-winning innings.
The former Pakistan cricket captain, who is said to have injected a fresh air into the cesspool of country's politics with his healthy outlook, needs to draw a valuable lesson from the commission's findings. He will be, therefore, required to focus more on the objective of better delivery in KPK-a province under PTI rule following the 2013 general elections- to brighten his prospects in the next general elections. He must respond positively to prime minister's remarks that "the chapter of smears and allegations must now close forever".
Last but not least, the commission's report has underscored the need for consensus electoral reforms in the country. All parties inside and outside parliament must therefore strive towards achieving the goal of fairer, freer and more transparent elections at all tiers of governance in the not too distant future.
The writer is newspaper's News Editor