Alvi strikes defiant note on NA session

Caretaker PM advises president to convene sitting

ISLAMABAD:

With the clock ticking down on the constitutionally mandated deadline for summoning the National Assembly session, President Arif Alvi continued to stonewall the process on Tuesday, with the ball now in the NA secretariat’s court to make the call.

Alvi, whose presidency is nearing its conclusion, has been withholding approval for the NA session, demanding a resolution to the issue of reserved seats for women and minorities distributed among parties, in accordance with the law.

His delay tactics have drawn criticism from political parties, including the PML-N and PPP, urging him not to misuse his powers as the head of state.

Observers speculate that the president aims to postpone the session until the Election Commission of Pakistan issues a notification regarding the reserved seats of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), a group that most PTI-backed lawmakers have recently joined.

The ECP, however, clarified that the issue of SIC reserved seats is currently "under consideration by the commission" and is scheduled for a hearing tomorrow following today's adjournment.

On Tuesday, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar once again advised the president to convene the session, while granting authority to the NA secretariat to call the session after the constitutional deadline.

In the summary, Kakar emphasised that calling a sitting within 21 days of the elections was a constitutional obligation.

Meanwhile, in anticipation of the president's potential inaction, alternative arrangements for convening the NA meeting have been finalised.

The caretaker premier has empowered the NA Secretariat to schedule a meeting after the expiration of the constitutional deadline, with sources suggesting that the notification for the NA session is likely to be issued between Wednesday and Thursday night.

‘Alvi violating constitution’

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stalwart and Senator Ishaq Dar levelled serious allegations against President Alvi, accusing him of attempting to once again violate the constitution.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Dar, expressing concerns over the obstruction of the upcoming National Assembly meeting scheduled for February 29, urged fellow members not to sign any documents supporting the alleged unconstitutional actions.

He highlighted instances where members were unable to take their oaths during previous sessions, stressing the importance of upholding constitutional procedures.

Dar stressed that the failure by the president to sign the necessary documents for the assembly meeting indicated a deliberate attempt to disrupt proceedings, suggesting a disregard for constitutional principles.

He condemned such actions, stating that they were tarnishing the nation's reputation on the international stage.

The senior PML-N leader underscored the clarity of the constitution regarding the convening of assembly sessions, criticising Alvi’s objections and the subsequent return of the summary.

Dar affirmed that members whose notifications had been issued would fulfil their obligations, despite the challenges faced.

Expressing frustration at what he termed as "games being played with the constitution," Dar called for a proper resolution of the issue by the President. He assured that the National Assembly meeting would proceed as scheduled on February 29, dismissing any confusion surrounding the session.

Dar reiterated his commitment to fostering unity among members of both national and provincial assemblies, stressing the importance of inclusivity in the political process.

He also refuted President Alvi's assertion that the constitution was incomplete, citing reports of a federal government response to the objections raised.

It is pertinent to note that development took place a day after National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf had to convene the inaugural session of the lower house of parliament at 10 am on Feb 29.

As per the Constitution, the initial session of the National Assembly is mandated to be convened within 21 days after the general elections held on Feb 8. Section 91(2) of the Constitution stipulates: “The National Assembly shall meet on the twenty-first day following the day on which a general election to the assembly is held, unless sooner summoned by the president.”