ISLAMABAD – The country’s political quagmire further worsened as the Election Commission of Pakistan postponed polls in Punjab; the action now prompted a strong response from President who approached Prime Minister in this regard.
Amid the outrage over the unexpected delay, President Dr. Arif Alvi has penned a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to assist the election authorities to hold elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as per Supreme Court’s Order to avoid further difficulties as the matter attracts the contempt of court.
He maintained that flagrant violation of the Constitution has been committed by the executive authorities and government departments, by not implementing the announcement of holding general elections in Punjab on April 30. It also dishonored Supreme Court’s Order.
President raised the issue as the federal government and elections authority were bound to arrange the elections within 90 days in line with a recent Supreme Court ruling directing officials to follow the deadline outlined in the constitution.
As President and opposition members decried the delay in polls, the ruling alliance members defended the ECP’s decision, stressing to conduct elections at same time as parliament completes its five-year mandatory term in nearly half year.
Human Rights Violations
Alvi said all executive authorities of federal and provincial governments should refrain from abuse of human rights highlighted to ensure remedial measures and preventive action.
Drawing the attention of PM Sharif, Alvi stressed on the seriousness of Human Rights violations, atrocities of police/law enforcement agencies, and grossly disproportionate use of force against Pakistani people.
He said fabricated cases have been registered against leaders, political workers, journalists, and media persons.
