Former Rawalpindi commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha has apologized to the election commission for the allegations he levelled against it regarding rigging the recent general elections, and claimed they were all false.

In a statement, Chattha now says that he accepted all responsibility and surrendered before the authorities, adding that no returning officer of the Rawalpindi division was ordered to support or intervene in the election process.

He then goes on to say that he has been under a lot of pressure due to his upcoming retirement on March 13 after 32 years of government service.

Chattha alleges that he was coerced into making these allegations at the behest of a PTI leader with whom he developed a long-standing relationship during the PTI government.

“After the May 9 incident, the PTI leader went into hiding in Lahore and remained in touch,” he claims, adding that he was appointed to important government posts during the PTI era.

“I was in touch with PTI leaders. One of the leaders promised an important post in return for making allegations of rigging. The PTI leader was consulted before the press conference and instructions were taken from him.”

He said the purpose of the press conference was to create sensation regarding the PTI's false narrative, adding that it had been agreed that he would give a statement regarding altering the results of all the seats in Rawalpindi Division.

“The chief justice's name was taken to create ill feelings against him among the public. The direction to mention the name of the chief justice was also given by the PTI leader,” Chattha alleges.

'Strict action'

Meanwhile, the additional inspector general (legal) has written a letter to the Punjab Home Department recommending strict action against Chattha under extraordinary provisions.

Sources said that the state had decided to become a party against the former commissioner and that documents were being collected for action against him. “Liaquat Chattha will be prosecuted for conspiracy against the state,” the sources added.

His press conference will be declared a criminal conspiracy and action will be taken for creating hatred and division among society as well as disrupting peace and creating divisions.

“Action will also be taken against Liaquat Chattha for misusing his position and acting against a government job,” the sources said, adding that assistance would be sought from the police, law and prosecution departments for action.

The punishment for the above-mentioned crimes is one to 10 years of imprisonment.