Those rigging 1990 elections would be brought to book: Ashraf

PM Raja Pervez Ashraf has termed the SC verdict in Asghar Khan case as significant. Addressing a news conference at the PM House on Friday‚ Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said on the basis of investigations‚ action would be taken as per law and the Constitution. FIA would carry out fair and transparent investigations and those found responsible would not be spared, the PM said. He said findings of the investigations would be made public and every penny of the nation would be recovered. He said both who doled out money and the beneficiaries should apologize from the nation but the law would take its own course. He said all those who planned and executed the conspiracy stand exposed and are accountable to the people. The PM said the verdict of the apex court is significant and will have far reaching implications. He said in 1990 those hundred percent sure of their success in elections were defeated but the history has revealed the truth after twenty-two years. He said at that time Shaheed Benazir Bhutto had remarked that they have stolen the elections and they have run a mock. He said instead of listening to her genuine grievance‚ the then Establishment tried to declare her a security risk. The PM said it was unfortunate that elections were stolen in a fraudulent manner which amounted to dacoity on mandate of the people. He said it was ironic that some people deprived people of their mandate while sitting in drawing rooms. He said the tactics used to defeat some candidates and ensure victory of some others amounted to murder of democracy and today stand of the PPP has been vindicated by the Supreme Court judgment. Raja Pervez Ashraf said as the PPP has always been a victim of fraud in polls‚ it is determined to hold free‚ fair and transparent elections. He said every effort has been made in this regard and appointment of an independent‚ credible and neutral Chief Election Commissioner is proof of that. Replying to a question he said that no political cell was working in the Presidency.