OVER one month has elapsed since the 17th provincial assembly of Punjab was dissolved (on 14 January 2023) followed by dissolution of the KP Assembly by the Governor of the province on the advice of the Chief Minister but the issue of general election in the two provinces is still undecided. A consultative meeting between Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman and an ECP delegation remained inconclusive as the Governor persists with his stand that the assembly was not dissolved by him, therefore, he can’t give a date. As for the Lahore High Court order asking the Governor and the ECP to announce a date, the Governor maintained that he would approach the court for clarification of some points. Peshawar High Court has also sought a response from the Governor as to why he was not announcing a date for the elections.
PTI rushed to dissolve the two assemblies on expectations that the move would force the Federal Government to consider the option for holding a premature general election. However, the Centre is not inclined to oblige and is not interested even in elections in the two provinces citing financial and economic constraints and legal issues. No doubt, the ball is in the court of the Election Commission but it is also a fact that the Commission itself cannot hold elections without necessary support from the institutions concerned as a large manpower is required to undertake the exercise at this scale. It is pertinent to point out that Pakistan Army, Rangers, Police and the judiciary have expressed their inability to provide necessary manpower due to ongoing operation against the menace of terrorism and extremism. The by-elections for NA seats as well as elections in the two provinces involved heavy expenditure and it is also doubtful whether or not the government was in a position to allocate necessary resources to the Commission to carry out the exercise as financial position of the Government is so fragile that it is finding it difficult even to arrange payment of salaries and pensions to its employees.
Court interventions notwithstanding, it is for the Government to arrange finances and its ability to do so is in doubt because of the ongoing financial crisis. At a time when the authorities are under immense pressure to explore all possible avenues to save money, it would be interesting to see how the Government manages enhanced requirements for funds if elections are held separately for the two assemblies and the National Assembly/remaining two assemblies.
