A sub-committee set up by the special parliamentary committee investigating the allegations of rigging in the July 25 general elections on Monday handed over government’s ‘one-sentence’ terms of reference (ToRs) to the opposition. “The parliamentary committee will hold an inquiry to determine that the ECP organised and conducted the 2018 general elections honestly, justly, fairly clean and in accordance with law and guarded against corrupt practices,” the government’s brief ToRs read. The opposition has asked for time till December 13 to submit a response. The meeting of the sub-committee, which was formed on Nov 10 to finalise the ToRs, was held under the chairmanship of its convenor, Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood. PPP’s Naveed Qamar, PML-N’s Rana Sanaullah and MQM-P’s Barrister Saif were also present. During the last meeting, the opposition parties had submitted 10-point ToRs raising crucial questions over the conduct of the elections. Talking to reporters following Monday’s meeting, committee’s convenor Shafqat Mahmood asserted that the general elections were ‘transparent and according to the law and the constitutional requirements’. He said the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) and the European Union had also published their reports in this regard, adding that the opposition parties were only trying to make the elections controversial to gain political benefits. Mehmood said the government has suggested the finest ToRs which cover all aspects of the opposition’s demands. “The finest investigation will be conducted while staying within the ambit of the constitution,” he added. Responding to a question regarding the legal status of the parliamentary committee, Mehmood said a reference in this regard was sent to committee chairman Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, who then forwarded it to National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser for further action. Speaking to media, Naveed Qamar said from the government’s methodology it was clear from the very first day that they don’t want to make a progress. “ToRs is a simple issue,” he said, adding, “The government has basically penned down its constitutional responsibility as ToRs.” He said the government wants a better case to escape, however the opposition would not let them escape. “All opposition parties will be on the same page on the matter,” he maintained. Rana Sanaullah claimed that the elections were not transparent and the political parties were not given a level-playing field. He said the PML-N wanted to boycott the parliament but PPP did not agree and chose the way of holding investigation through a parliamentary committee. “Government wants a way to escape somehow … if parliamentary committee is stopped, the other way is through protests,” he said, adding that the ToRs submitted by the government and the opposition should be sent to a central committee for a final decision. Published in Daily Times, December 4th 2018.