Disobeying SC to invoke Article 6: PTI

PM's remarks concerning same-day polls trigger strong reaction

LAHORE:

The PTI on Wednesday reacted sharply to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks about holding the elections across the country on the same day in October, saying the government should either amend the Constitution or hold polls in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in line with the Supreme Court's order, noting otherwise, they would face Article 6.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan had dissolved both Punjab and K-P assemblies in January this year in a bid to force the ruling coalition government to hold snap elections.

Earlier in the day, the premier in his address to the federal cabinet said that October or November would be appropriate for holding elections across the country.

Reacting to the premier’s remarks, PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry maintained that according to the Constitution, polls should be held within 90 days after the dissolution of the assemblies.

“[The] government should either take the matter to the parliament and amend the Constitution by a two-thirds majority or hold elections according to the Supreme Court’s order,” he tweeted.

“[The] Constitution cannot be suspended through mere statements and resolutions. Disobedience to Constitution is unacceptable,” he continued.

Fawad noted that the history would not forgive those who violated the Constitution and considered it a “piece of paper”.

He said a vast majority of people in Pakistan were being ruled by “unconstitutional governments”.

The PTI leader asserted either election be held in Punjab and K-P or the premier and his cabinet face Article 6, adding that there was no third solution in the Constitution.

Meanwhile, commenting on the holding of polls in the two provincial assemblies, PTI Central President Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi stated that the time for a decision was near, hoping that people would hear good news soon.

He said accusing the Supreme Court and the judges was an “old habit” of the PML-N.

“PM Shehbaz Sharif is seeking an escape from elections. A majority of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) parties are in favour of [holding] polls,” he said.

Elahi stressed the need to take bold decisions to save Pakistan’s economy and the politics, saying “if the incompetent rulers do not give up the ‘disobedience writ’, the country and its people will face serious consequences”.

He said the incumbent rulers would flee the country fearing the public reaction over their policies, and emphasised that election was the only way to prosperity.

“Sooner the PDM realises [the fact] the better for them. Government wants elections not on the same date but on a date of its own choice.”

“Government's mal intent and lack of seriousness on negotiations [with the PTI] have been fully exposed,” he added.

“Instead of talks, the government is engaged in taping calls and airing them on news channels.”

On the holding of polls in the two provincial assemblies, Elahi said the government would not get the verdict of “its choice” by “blackmailing the judiciary” and employing underhand tactics.

He said the PML-N had lost its popularity in Punjab, adding that the party wanted to create a “drama” of political victimisation.

He accused PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif of hatching conspiracies against the apex court.

“Nawaz Sharif considers Supreme Court as an obstacle in the way of his return [to the country]. His conspiracy to make the apex court ineffective through the ‘unconstitutional government bill’ has also failed,” he added.

The PTI central president took a dig at JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, saying he was speaking against the top court on the directives of Nawaz.

“PDM has been held hostage by Nawaz and Fazl and deprived of the ability to take independent decisions,” he said.

“Since PPP does not exist in Punjab, it does not matter if Asif Zardari or Bilawal support or oppose elections in Punjab.”