President has yet not given up on mediation to end political impasse

Alvi says free, fair and transparent election only way out of political, economic morass

KARACHI:

Despite escalating political brinkmanship, President Arif Alvi has yet not given up on his efforts to mediate a way out of the political imbroglio spawned by the toppling of PTI government which has toxified the social environment, polarized the nation, and stymied the economy. He believes an early election is the only way to wriggle out of the political and economic morass.

President Alvi spoke his heart out on a wide array of issues at an interaction with senior editors at the Governor House in Karachi on Wednesday. “I have been trying to bring all stakeholders to the negotiating table to evolve consensus on major issues to normalize the political situation,” he said. “Economic stability hinges on political stability.”

The PTI and the governing coalition have let loose their hawks for political duelling, which is only adding to bitterness in their rhetoric. But President Alvi believes both sides have saner, wiser and pragmatic politicians who can deescalate the situation. Politicians can resolve all issues on the negotiating table, if they show flexibility for the sake of democracy.

Asked about his legacy, President Alvi said he has tried to strengthen the federation though “I am a small man in big office”. He said that only history would determine his performance as a president. The ultimate aim and objective of leaders and visionaries is development of their country and progress of their people.

Currently, the media is fixated on who army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa would pass the baton to as he doffs the uniform in November following his extended term. And this is providing grist to the rumour mill. Rumour has it that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was in London to consult his elder brother, Nawaz Sharif, on the possible successor of Gen Qamar.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif was quick to quell these rumours.Nonetheless Imran Khan and his party colleagues said that Shehbaz has breached the Official Secrets Act by consulting a “convicted fugitive” on the important appointment. But interestingly, President Alvi, who also belongs to the PTI, sees no harm in consultation among “relevant stakeholders” on the army chief’s appointment which, he says, should be made as per relevant provision of the Constitution and relevant laws.

One questioner also raked up the killing of TV journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya last month. It was reported in the media that Sharif had written a letter to President Alvi seeking help in view of threats to his life in Pakistan. The president confirmed that he had received a letter from Sharif and that within the confines of the Constitution, he wrote a letter to the prime minister, the executive head of the government, for necessary action as per law.

The current political polarization appears to have disillusioned the youth amid a vicious narrative being peddled on social media. But President Alvi doesn’t think such polarization would last long. “With the continuity of the democratic process things would eventually fall into place,” he said.

The President further said that social media has enhanced and amplified people’s reach and provided a means to communicate with millions of people without incurring substantial costs. Social media platforms such as Twitter, WhatsApp, TikTok and Facebook have created their own separate niche and space, he said.

“We should endeavour to understand its full dynamics, influence, efficacy and effect and embrace its positive aspects and learn to avoid and limit its negative fallouts like fake news, disinformation and hearsay,” he added.

“We should further strengthen our resilience while reacting to everything that is injected in the media and only authentic, verifiable, and evidence-based things may be taken into proper consideration so as to avoid confrontation and remain focused on the political and economic well-being of the country.”

President Alvi regretted that the media did not play its role in supporting electoral reforms, especially the introduction of electronic voting machines (EVMs) which, according to him, have been in use in neighbouring India since long.

Reforms may not be possible in the upcoming elections, but he called upon the media to guide the politicians on electoral reforms that could ensure free, fair and transparent elections and put an end to perennial allegations of rigging once and for all.

President Alvi said that as compared to its neighbours, Pakistan successfully emerged out of the Covid-19 pandemic and was able to save lives and livelihoods of the people through education and communication.

He added that the country also faced a shortage of essential commodities and high inflation due to the Russia-Ukraine war and recently faced catastrophic floods. “We need to resolve our issues and waste no time to put the country on the speedy path of progress and prosperity,” he said.

In reply to another question, the president said that he had proposed a high-level advisory body to provide leadership in Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing so that a definite direction was provided to the relevant institutions and departments for moving forward which, he said, took a backstage due to political developments. He said that in his opinion such developmental projects and initiatives should continue to remain in limelight.

He said that the right decisions made at the right time, quality decision-making, intellect and knowledge, trained and capable human resources and persistent efforts in the right directions, just and fair application of laws in all situations and on all persons in its true spirit, intent and purpose would help in accelerated development and prosperity of the country.

Replying to another question, he said that we should take immediate and concrete steps to realize the full potential of Gwadar port and other related projects, speed up our work processes and systems to attract and retain foreign investors in large numbers and fully exploit opportunities available to Pakistan in the trade and business sectors for making fast track progress and development.