President should represent all political parties: Solangi

Info minister says if Alvi continues to align himself with one political party, it could compromise his credibility

LAHORE:

Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi intensified his critique of President Arif Alvi on Sunday, emphasising the need for the head of the state to act as a representative for all political parties, aligning with the law and the Constitution to foster national unity.

The president found himself under fire from multiple fronts after his move to relay in a letter the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) concerns to the prime minister regarding alleged infringements on citizens' rights and an erosion of a fair electoral contest.

Alvi, affiliated with the PTI and frequently accused of displaying partiality for the party, also forwarded a letter received from PTI General Secretary Omar Ayub Khan.

Read More: PTI slams Solangi, ECP for censuring Alvi

Speaking to the media in Lahore, Solangi again reiterated that the president's role extends beyond one political party, urging him to articulate the concerns and interests of all parties. He cautioned that if Dr Alvi continued to align himself with a single political entity, it could compromise his credibility.

In response to a query, Solangi asserted that the country's governance should be in the hands of elected representatives, emphasising the importance of collective commitment to upholding the Constitution.

He highlighted the democratic essence as a platform for dialogue, stating that every party and individual has the right to express their concerns through appropriate channels, including the courts and the election commission.

Regarding the upcoming elections, the information minister pledged full cooperation and assistance from the caretaker government to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), ensuring adherence to the law and the Constitution.

He commended the competence and sense of responsibility demonstrated by the current ECP management, noting their dedication to the outlined action plan for the elections.

Responding to another query, the minister expressed confidence in finding solutions to crises, stating that the people of Pakistan would determine the country's future on February 8, 2024, the scheduled date for the elections.

Read More: Alvi under fire for advocating PTI’s poll concerns

Solangi, addressing concerns about institutional functioning, reassured the public that all institutions were operating freely and independently.

The latest dig aimed at the president is not the first instance where the interim information minister came on the fore to denounce the former for relaying concerns of PTI.

On Friday, the information minister and ECP had termed the president’s move as tantamount to becoming the “mouthpiece” of the PTI.

They contended that the caretaker government and the election watchdog were mindful of their duties to ensure free, transparent elections in fair atmosphere for every political entity.