General elections in October
A broader view will show that Election Commission has taken right decision to move Punjab elections to October. Law minister’s statement that government is ready if Imran wants to have grand dialogue is a welcome development because it benefits country, all stakeholders and it offers fresh start with no baggage. With President Arif Alvi and Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial retiring in September, it will give a clean slate to everyone.
It is time Pakistan moves forward. Instead of blowing hot and cold, PTI needs to avail the opportunity. The news of moving SC against EC for delaying Punjab election could be hedging. Will it succeed? Three things can answer how it could play out. Instead of express lane, the petition could slow down in SC.
The petition against alleged corruption of SC justice(s) is reportedly with registrar office for Supreme Judicial Council, and PTI senators have decided to attend joint session of Parliament. Like dissolution of provincial assemblies, the SC 90-day judgment is not in isolation. It is a political judgment on a legal graveyard including 63A for saving the constitution after dissolution of assemblies. Punjab CM’s said that he was unwilling to dissolve the assembly pushed politics into dead-end. That is why I wrote SC Landmark Judgment because it opened door for all stakeholders to give and take on 90 days with an unwritten message of general elections.
Imran squandered the opportunity. Later he admitted dissolving provincial assemblies to force government for holding early general elections. The government did not budge. Imran was forced to withdraw from 35 constituencies because PDM refused to contest elections. It again shows why SC gave a judgment that upheld the Constitution while leaving the flexibility for other stakeholders also. We all know that democracy is not one-man show. Imran should avail the grand dialogue offer to secure general elections in October.
It is time to solve political issues politically. PTI should engage with opposition also because like government it is already trying to win over Washington. Lest elections are further delayed. IMF has already said that political situation is delaying the deal for assurances from Pakistan that the future political setup in the country will respect any deal they sign with Islamabad. By challenging Election Commission, PTI will strengthen it. It is a constitutional setup. It has already asserted itself by presenting a strong case for delaying the election after consulting with other state institutions. It has reported that finance ministry, judiciary and military have shared their challenges for holding elections. They include financial constraints, staff shortage and security situation and primary responsibilities.
Law minister has also made a case to delay the elections. Since 1947, all elections have been held simultaneously. They should be free, fair, and acceptable to all parties.
There is no mechanism to hold elections without caretaker setup in presence of provincial governments. Other parties can reject election results. Holding elections in two provinces separately will become permanent. Politically charged atmosphere could result in bloodshed and derailing of democracy. Four-month lock before end of term. During PTI government, all parties agreed to hold elections after digital census for population based allocation of funds for public welfare.
After IMF, PTI has now involved UN. History shows it has been part of country’s politics. PPP took its case to UN and rest is history. I would remind all parties that our politicians, bureaucrats and police have been educated, trained and/or worked in UN, US and UK. After Casey Report on London Met police and US George Floyd case, it is time to learn from the rot to serve public, democracy and uphold one country one law. Pakistan is also watching test of democracy, freedom of speech and human rights in America. GOP has condemned record number of cases against Trump as political witch-hunt. Pence rejected Trump’s indictment on hush money scandal and defended Americans Constitutional right to protest peacefully. Schiff has called out McCarthy for using Congress unconstitutionally to investigate the investigator as autocrat’s playbook for saving Trump from impeachment if needed. District Attorney has moved the hearing to next week. Trump has said he wants to be handcuffed. In my opinion, the case of former president has been prolonged for political mileage after Congressional hearings. There is no logic to pursue a hush money case after the findings of Jan 6 Congress hearings and the evidence presented with it. The $250Mn funding for challenging elections results is an open and shut case. It is weakening democracy in the country and rest of the world. In UK, Boris Johnson faced privileges committee in Partygate scandal. He has made a spectacle of democracy and human rights for failing to observe the very laws as PM, which he expected others to follow. After scathing Sue Gray report, no one has brought Johnson to book under one country one law as bereaving families of Covid victims demand justice for being shamelessly denied the right to visit their loved ones one last time while the PM partied in 10 downing street.
—The writer is senior political analyst based in Islamabad.
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