
LAHORE: The Election Tribunal probing rigging allegations in NA-122 announced its verdict on Saturday.The tribunal declared the elections null and void in NA-122, PP-147 and PP-148, and ordered re-polling.The Election Commission of Pakistan said Ayaz Sadiq would be denotified once it receives the tribunal's verdict.A petition had been filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan challenging National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq’s victory in the 2013 elections. Khan who had been defeated by Sadiq in the constituency had claimed of widespread rigging.The PTI chairman took to social media and said he was grateful to Allah for giving him the strength and perseverance to fight for injustice against all odds. He also said the NA-122 election tribunal decision was a victory for Insaf.“I want to thank all our supporters, especially our youth and women, who stood resolutely by me throughout struggle for justice against rigging in general elections 2013,” Imran Khan tweeted.Ayaz Sadiq has announced that he will challenge the tribunal’s decision in the Supreme Court.Speaking to the media outside the tribunal Ali Sadiq the son of Ayaz Sadiq said the tribunals decision did not state that his father was involved in rigging.PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi spoke to Geo News and praised the decision. He added that Ayaz Sadiq had the right to challenge the tribunal’s ruling.Throughout the day the temperature outside the tribunal remained high as PTI and PML-N workers chanted slogans in favour of their respective leaders.Earlier in the day the two charged up sides came close to clashing but the situation was kept under control by a large contingent of police commandos and policewomen deployed on site.In order to keep the situation under control further police reinforcements were called on site including water cannon to disperse supporters in case they turned violent.The Election Tribunal has faxed its verdict to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).Election Commissioner Punjab, Masood Malik confirmed receipt of a facsimile of the Election Tribunal’s ruling.However, he said, the ECP would take action in connection with the denotification of Speaker Ayaz Sadiq after receiving original document of the verdict.Accepting the Tribunal’s decision, Ayaz Sadiq said he has reservations on it.“The decision has not put any responsibility on me or Imran Khan.”Responding to question, he said that if he is not an MNA any more then how can he remain the Speaker, adding that he, however, was always a PML-N member and still is. He also said that the Deputy Speaker will be taking his place for the time being.Sadiq confirmed that he will be challenging today’s decision by the Tribunal in the Supreme Court and said that, “we have the court to express our reservations.”He went on to say that the Election Tribunal has deemed the whole election void.Regarding the issue of resignations of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MNAs, he said that he has already ‘written on the files.’Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the verdict of the Election Tribunal is part of the legal process and all political parties should respect the ruling.He further said that the PML-N will exercise its right under the law against the judgment.