The HRW has released a report and an audiotape that contains the voice of Attorney General Malik Abdul Qayyum in which he is advising an unknown caller about massive vote rigging by Musharraf and PML-Q. The AG also advised the caller on what political party should the person approach to become a successful candidate for the upcoming elections.
The AG's office has denied that he ever made any suggestions to this effect and speculates that the tape is fabricated. The HRW reports that the recording was made accidentally when Qayyum was giving a phone interview to a journalist but was interrupted on another phone by the unknown caller.
If i can speculate Qayyum's brother is contesting this month's election on PML-Q ticket. In my mind the unknown caller was most probably his brother seeking advice on his future action plan.
Here is the english translation of his conversation,
I can not accept anything from Musharraf by the way of justice since after imposing the emergency in November 2007 he and his followers went on record admitting that he had taken unconstitutional steps that were somehow, 'for the greater benefit of the country'.
There is something more ironic in the situation for the AG. This is the second time his audio tapes have been reported in media.
If you can understandUrdu Punjabi then go to Farrukh Khan's weblog to hear the audio recording of the conversation.
If you can't understand Urdu then CNN has translated and cross translated the conversation for you.
UPDATE: The translations provided by both HRW and CNN are flawed. I have posted the proper transcript in this post. The transcripts posted on the websites of CNN and HRW are both done by someone who doesn't know Punjabi.
Technorati Tags: Pakistan, Politics, Elections
The AG's office has denied that he ever made any suggestions to this effect and speculates that the tape is fabricated. The HRW reports that the recording was made accidentally when Qayyum was giving a phone interview to a journalist but was interrupted on another phone by the unknown caller.
If i can speculate Qayyum's brother is contesting this month's election on PML-Q ticket. In my mind the unknown caller was most probably his brother seeking advice on his future action plan.
Here is the english translation of his conversation,
Leave Nawaz Sharif (PAUSE).... I think Nawaz Sharif will not take part in the election (PAUSE).... If he does take part, he will be in trouble. If Benazir takes part she too will be in trouble (PAUSE).... They will massively rig to get their own people to win. If you can get a ticket from these guys, take it (PAUSE).... If Nawaz Sharif does notThis is a huge scandal and in civilized worlds can lead to impeachment of presidents and/or democratically elected Govts. But in Pakistan where only the dictator rules supreme it is not hard to imagine that no action will be taken to bring out the truth.
return himself, then Nawaz Sharif has no advantage. If he comes himself, then he can be some use, (PAUSE)…. He will not come before election he will come after election (PAUSE)... Yes….
I can not accept anything from Musharraf by the way of justice since after imposing the emergency in November 2007 he and his followers went on record admitting that he had taken unconstitutional steps that were somehow, 'for the greater benefit of the country'.
There is something more ironic in the situation for the AG. This is the second time his audio tapes have been reported in media.
If you can understand
If you can't understand Urdu then CNN has translated and cross translated the conversation for you.
UPDATE: The translations provided by both HRW and CNN are flawed. I have posted the proper transcript in this post. The transcripts posted on the websites of CNN and HRW are both done by someone who doesn't know Punjabi.
Technorati Tags: Pakistan, Politics, Elections
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