Alvi the President

As expected, Dr Arif Alvi has been elected as President of Pakistan. Five of the six constituents of the electoral college voted in favour of Alvi, thanks to a divide in the opposition which ensured that the PTI nominee had a smooth sailing to the country’s top office. Alvi won the vote in the Parliament House, comprising MNAs and senators, as well as in three of the four provincial assemblies, barring the one in Sindh. In total, Alvi bagged 353 electoral votes; Fazlur Rehmana — who was backed by the opposition minus the PPP — garnered 185 votes; and the PPP’s candidate, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, managed 124. While the difference of votes between those bagged by Alvi and his two rivals combined is a comfortable 44, an undivided opposition would have been in a good position to bargain with smaller parties to at least slim down the victory margin.

The election of President brings to an end the voting season that began with the July 25 general election and was followed by the election of speakers, deputy speakers, chief ministers and prime minister. The government is thus complete now, and is expected to settle down as fast as possible and start laying the foundation of a vigorously-promised and much-anticipated Naya Pakistan. While the President’s is a largely ceremonial position, he can play a vital role in his capacity as dejure figurehead representing the unity of the republic. And as President has to be kept informed by Prime Minister on all matters of internal and foreign policy, as well as all legislative proposals, his input in the context can be vital.

A dentist by profession, 69-year-old Alvi is one of the founding members of the PTI who stood by his party chairman, Imran Khan, through thick and thin. Alvi, who will take oath on September 9 as the 13^th President of Pakistan, says he will be the “president of all parties and all Pakistanis”, promising whatever is promised in the Constitution. Let’s wish the President-elect all the very best in pursuit of his pledge to the nation. 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2018.

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