Spokesman Report
ISLAMABAD :In connection with the holding of the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, President Dr Arif Alvi asked on Friday Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to direct the concerned authorities to assist the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
In a letter, President Alvi mentioned the holding of elections in the two provinces as per the timeframe, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s order dated March 1, 2023 was essential to avoid further complications, including contempt of court.
The president said he was writing the letter as events had taken place in the recent past involving glaring violations of fundamental and human rights that were highlighted by the print, electronic and social media and needed to be brought to the prime minister’s notice to ensure remedial measures and preventive action.
The president said the elections of provincial assemblies, in case of their dissolution under Article 105 or Article 112, were required to be held within 90 days under Article 224 (2) of the Constitution.
He added that the Supreme Court of Pakistan vide its order dated 1st March, 2023 had directed the ECP to propose date(s) to the president for holding the poll within 90 days or on a date that deviates to barest minimum from aforesaid deadline.
He said the governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was also directed by the Supreme Court to appoint a date for holding the general election for the provincial assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as per above timeframe.
Subsequently, the ECP had proposed holding of general elections between April 30 and May 7, 2023 and general elections for the Provincial Assembly of Punjab were announced to be held on April 30, 2023 and the same was notified by the ECP.
President Alvi said that it appeared that federal and care-taker governments in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa advised the heads of departments concerned to indicate their inability to provide the necessary support for holding general elections.
He referred to Article 220 of the Constitution which states that “it shall be the duty of all executive authorities in the Federation and in the Provinces to assist the Commissioner and the Election Commission in the discharge of his or their functions.”
He underlined that in his opinion, flagrant violation of the Constitution had been committed by the executive authorities and government departments, and that the ECP had not implemented his announcement of holding general elections in Punjab on 30th April, 2023 and also blatantly violated the Supreme Court’s order dated 1st March, 2023.
He also referred to Article 9 on ‘security of person’, Article 10 on ‘safeguards as to arrest and detention’, Article 10-A on ‘right to fair trial’, Article 14 on ‘inviolability of dignity of man etc.’, Article 15 on ‘freedom of movement etc.’, Article 16 on ‘freedom of assembly’, Article 17 on ‘freedom of association’ and Article 19 on ‘freedom of speech’, and said the spirit and mandate of these articles were being clearly transgressed.
“This has tarnished the image of Pakistan in the international community and is casting negative repercussions on the future of democracy and state of human rights in Pakistan,” he added.
President Alvi further highlighted that in the World Press Freedom Index of 2021, Pakistan ranked 145 out of 180 countries and dropped to 157 i.e., 12 points downwards in the World Press Freedom Index, 2022, which reflected the sorry state of affairs and “this year’s actions and images” would further exacerbate the country’s already dismal ranking.
He wrote that in recent months, media had been further suppressed and journalists had also been subjected to charges of sedition and terrorism to stifle dissent and criticism against the government. It appeared that a reign of terror had been unleashed against the media persons who had independent opinions, he added.