Election date to be announced in next 10 days: Qadri

Government agrees to all demands, but has reservations over two of them, says Kaira.

LAHORE: The dates for elections and for dissolution of national and provincial assemblies will be announced in next 10 days, declared Minhajul Quran International (MQI) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri on Sunday.

Qadri was speaking to media after meeting a team of government representatives who had earlier negotiated the terms of Islamabad Long March Declaration with his party Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).

Speaking about various issues discussed during the meeting, Qadri said it was decided that 30 days time will be given for scrutiny of election candidates.

He added that only those candidates declared eligible to contest elections will be able to carry out election campaigns.

Rubbishing concerns related to the legal status of his demands, Qadri said the declaration will be given legal cover before assemblies are dissolved.

Explaining the PAT’s role in the caretaker setup, the party chief said government will appoint interim prime minister in consultation with his party.

Clarifying his reservations on current Election Commission of Pakistan, Qadri said his party has no problem with the chief election commissioner, however, he believes the other appointments made in the commission are illegal and hence make the ECP invalid.

Commenting on the issue related to sitting ministers having access to government funds, Qadri expressed fears that this would give certain candidates edge over others who don’t have enough money.

“This is against the concept of level playing field for everyone,” he stressed.

Qadri said he demands these funds should be seized and used for the benefit of the people, adding that the money should be used to subsidise basic necessities.

Government reservations

Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira told the media that the government has agreed to all demands put forward by the PAT, but has reservations over two of them.

The party’s demand to dissolve the election commission was against the Constitution as recommended by the seven-member committee of lawmakers set up to analyse the issue, said the minister.

“The law minister held talks with the committee and they have sent in their written recommendations which state that the executive has no authority over it [dissolution of election commission]. The government is bound to follow the Constitution and cannot undo the decision of the committee,” he maintained.

The second reservation was over sitting ministers having access to government funds. Kaira said the election commission comes into action after the election date is announced and can only take preparatory steps before that. “Technically, it is not possible,” said Kaira adding that the government had given the provinces the authority to manage their funds.

“We cannot interfere in the provinces’ affairs.”