PTI agrees to extend polls date via constitutional tweak

Qaiser makes it conditional for govt to publicly announce its readiness for talks

LAHORE:

PTI senior leader Asad Qaiser has expressed his party’s willingness to consider a constitutional amendment to make way for adjustments to the election schedule beyond the 90-day requirement under the law but made it conditional for the government publicly announcing its readiness to engage in negotiations.

Another senior leader of the party, Fawad Chaudhry, while speaking to the media in Lahore, claimed that he wanted the government, opposition and ‘powerful circles’ to move towards free and fair elections in Pakistan together as it was the only way forward from the current uncertainty prevailing in the country.

During an interview with a local news outlet on Wednesday, Qaiser, a former speaker of the National Assembly, stressed the need for political leaders to sit together and resolve matters through talks.

Also read: Talks possible as Imran responds positively to PM's offer

He believed that a dialogue between the government and the PTI-led opposition was the need of the hour, and that the current rulers must officially make a move for the negotiations.

PTI chairman and deposed premier Imran Khan had previously offered to talk to everyone except “thieves and looters”.

He also tweeted that he was ready to make any sacrifice for the country’s best interests, progress, and democracy.

This offer for talks from the PTI chief had come a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended an olive branch to Imran, emphasising the need for a dialogue between political forces to evade the prevailing crises faced by the country.

Qaiser maintained that the PTI was ready to confront any obstacles that might arise during the negotiations.

However, he also highlighted the importance of prioritising the country and its citizens, stressing that politics should be for the betterment of the nation and its people.

He criticised the government’s confrontational approach and stressed the need for constructive talks.

Qaiser also expressed his doubts about the government’s commitment to resolving the ongoing political crisis through constructive negotiations.

He questioned whether the government was truly interested in ending the crisis and initiating talks, stressing that the needs of Pakistan and its people must take precedence.

He continued that those in power were “far removed from sanity” and cautioned that the simmering frustration among the people was reaching a “dangerous level”, posing a significant threat to the country’s stability.

Qaiser emphasised the importance of national unity in creating an environment that was conducive to fair and transparent elections, and acceptable to all stakeholders.

He highlighted the need for the people of the country to exercise their right to choose their leaders and determine the future of the country.

The PTI leader also spoke about the importance of adhering to the law in connection with the elections date.

He argued that even a small fluctuation in the polls date must be approved according to the law to ensure that the elections were conducted in a manner that was fair and just as well as free from any objections.

Qaiser said anyone losing the polls must not raise a hue and cry over the results -- claiming that this was what his party wanted.

He criticised the ruling coalition's decision to flout court orders on the Punjab polls date, calling it unconstitutional and indicative of a government that was only focused on its own interests.

He continued that such actions eroded the government’s popularity and paved the way for its “political demise”.

Qaiser reiterated the PTI’s commitment to a fair and transparent election process, again highlighting the party’s willingness to support a constitutional amendment for the polls date extension.

He added that this demonstrated the PTI's willingness to work towards a solution that benefitted all parties involved.

PTI senior vice president Fawad Chaudhry maintained that the resolution presented in parliament earlier in the day had no constitutional or legal value.

“Only a two-thirds majority in both the upper and lower houses can nullify the Supreme Court’s verdict,” he added.

The former federal information minister claimed that resolutions could not nullify the ruling of the apex court, but PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz was making every effort to disqualify her uncle, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The PTI leader underscored that there was no constitutional or political crisis in the country as the Constitution was very clear that whenever an assembly was dissolved, elections would be held within 90 days.

However, he added that the government was not willing to abide by the Constitution and making efforts to evade the elections.

“The incumbent rulers are not ready to face the people of Pakistan and give them their right to vote,” he claimed.

The PTI leader warned of a mammoth movement across the country if all constitutional channels were closed.

He pointed out that the caretaker government would automatically lose its constitutional as well as legal status after April 22 and all its decisions would have no standing beyond this date.

“I believe that the apex country has already given relaxation of a week or so by setting the election schedule beyond 90 days. It is not necessary that the Supreme Court is right every time, but its decision is final and has to be accepted,” he added.

Speaking about the resolution passed by parliament, Fawad highlighted that only 42 members out of total 342 had signed it.

He asked the government and the media to provide the list of lawmakers in attendance in parliament during the last 10 days, maintaining that on one occasion, only four and on another, only eight members were present in the House.

Earlier, he pointed out that the law minister and attorney general had raised objections on the apex court’s decision about the elections in Punjab and later, the federal cabinet had rejected the SC’s verdict through a media statement.

“All cabinet members, who rejected the apex court’s verdict, are guilty of contempt,” he maintained.

Fawad advised the government that if it had any reservations over the apex court’s decision, it should file a review petition instead of attacking the SC.

“You cannot dictate the Supreme Court about the size and composition of the bench. That is the prerogative of the chief justice of Pakistan,” he continued.

Also read: PTI pledges peaceful conduct in elections

He claimed that the PTI had only one demand -- holding free and fair elections as per the Constitution within 90 days.

“It is the duty of all state institutions to protect the Constitution. If the government fails to abide by the Constitution, the PTI is ready for a major movement,” he added.

The PTI leader maintained that his party did want a conflict with any state institution.

Pointing out that the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting was scheduled for Friday (today), Fawad maintained that Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah’s claims should not be taken seriously as there was no emergency situation in the country.

(With additional input from News Desk)