HRW claims Pakistan elections will be "massively rigged"

Islamabad, Feb 15 : Widespread fears of military's intervention and rigging of the upcoming February 18 polls in Pakistan were substantiated when the Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Friday released shocking audio tapes, which confirmed that the electoral process would not be free and fair in the Islamic state.

According to reports, the rights watchdog has released an audio-tape, which shows Pakistan's Attorney General Mallik Qayyum saying that the forthcoming elections will be rigged.

Brushing aside questions over the credibility and accuracy of its audiotapes, the HRW said that the tape was made on November 21, 2007. Its release was delayed as it was subjected to stringent cross checking, it added.

"Our source is impeccable and reliable," the HRW said in a statement.

Although the Human Rights Watchdog stopped short of disclosing more details about the recording of tapes, it stated that a journalist working with them did it incidentally.

The journalist, in question, had called upon Mallik Qayyum for an interview, when he overheard the Attorney General talking to someone and conceding that February 18 elections will be rigged.

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has reacted strongly over the shocking revelations made by the HRW.

"My worst fears of rigging have been confirmed now. The audio tapes have exposed the Musharraf regime," he said.

"PML-N will contest and defeat Musharraf regime through the ballot, " he added.

However, there has been no official response from Qayyum over the HRW tapes.

ANI