The way forward: PTI proposes way out of the crisis
One of the key recommendations made by the party is that the prime minister should resign for an interim period.
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) issued a series of proposals to put an end to the sit-ins in the Red Zone.
The eight-page recommendations have already been submitted to the government. However, the ruling party has yet to negotiate the matter with the PTI.
One of the key recommendations made by the party is that the prime minister should resign for an interim period.
Furthermore, a judicial commission comprising three Supreme Court judges and led by the chief justice should be established. The panel will be tasked with investigating and assessing the credibility of rigging allegations in the 2013 general elections.
During the initial stages of the investigation process, an independent probe would be conducted by the judicial commission. The panel will be expected to submit a legally binding final report on the veracity of the allegations within 30 days.
In the second phase of the investigation, the commission would have to take action against any findings of pervasive rigging and illegalities in the 2013 elections.
According to the PTI’s recommendation, the panel must be vested with full investigative powers and the authority and to compel the production of any material, document, evidence or witness. Moreover, it is the duty of federal and provincial governments to assist and facilitate the unhindered and independent functioning of the panel.
The PTI has proposed that the joint investigation team (JIT) should comprise senior officers of federal and other investigative agencies and the FIA, Nadra, ECP, ISI, MI and IB. The JIT would serve as the ‘investigative arm’ of the judicial commission.
Moreover, the PTI has recommended that a “Supreme Monitoring Council’ be established simultaneously to facilitate an independent probe by the judicial panel.
In the event that the allegations are deemed valid, the prime minister will be advised to dissolve the National Assembly according to Article 58(1) of the Constitution. The President shall appoint a caretaker cabinet and Prime Minister under the Constitution, the composition of which must reflect the intent and will to undertake and complete necessary electoral reforms prior to the fresh general elections.
Moreover, the PTI must have a meaningful role in deciding these appointments.
The general elections must be held under a reconstituted and non-controversial election commission appointed in consultation with PTI.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Committee of the PTI endorsed all decisions taken by Imran Khan during the Azadi march. However, there was no official confirmation of this from the party.
“The parliamentary panel has discussed all issues that arose during the current political quagmire and expressed confidence over the decisions and leadership of Imran Khan,” PTI’s vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi told The Express Tribune.
He added that all members except the four MNAs who vehemently opposed the party’s decision over the resignations – including Javed Hashmi – participated in the meeting.
“There was no divergence of opinion over Imran’s decision and every participant wholeheartedly accepted the choices he made,” Qureshi said.
However, the party’s dissident group leader Gulzar Khan said that 26 out of 34 members have submitted their resignations so far. Gulzar Khan claims that he – along with two other leaders – has been expelled from the party for not submitting their resignations.
He added that there is no threat to their assembly memberships under the Political Parties Act 1973.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2014.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) issued a series of proposals to put an end to the sit-ins in the Red Zone.
The eight-page recommendations have already been submitted to the government. However, the ruling party has yet to negotiate the matter with the PTI.
One of the key recommendations made by the party is that the prime minister should resign for an interim period.
Furthermore, a judicial commission comprising three Supreme Court judges and led by the chief justice should be established. The panel will be tasked with investigating and assessing the credibility of rigging allegations in the 2013 general elections.
During the initial stages of the investigation process, an independent probe would be conducted by the judicial commission. The panel will be expected to submit a legally binding final report on the veracity of the allegations within 30 days.
In the second phase of the investigation, the commission would have to take action against any findings of pervasive rigging and illegalities in the 2013 elections.
According to the PTI’s recommendation, the panel must be vested with full investigative powers and the authority and to compel the production of any material, document, evidence or witness. Moreover, it is the duty of federal and provincial governments to assist and facilitate the unhindered and independent functioning of the panel.
The PTI has proposed that the joint investigation team (JIT) should comprise senior officers of federal and other investigative agencies and the FIA, Nadra, ECP, ISI, MI and IB. The JIT would serve as the ‘investigative arm’ of the judicial commission.
Moreover, the PTI has recommended that a “Supreme Monitoring Council’ be established simultaneously to facilitate an independent probe by the judicial panel.
In the event that the allegations are deemed valid, the prime minister will be advised to dissolve the National Assembly according to Article 58(1) of the Constitution. The President shall appoint a caretaker cabinet and Prime Minister under the Constitution, the composition of which must reflect the intent and will to undertake and complete necessary electoral reforms prior to the fresh general elections.
Moreover, the PTI must have a meaningful role in deciding these appointments.
The general elections must be held under a reconstituted and non-controversial election commission appointed in consultation with PTI.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Committee of the PTI endorsed all decisions taken by Imran Khan during the Azadi march. However, there was no official confirmation of this from the party.
“The parliamentary panel has discussed all issues that arose during the current political quagmire and expressed confidence over the decisions and leadership of Imran Khan,” PTI’s vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi told The Express Tribune.
He added that all members except the four MNAs who vehemently opposed the party’s decision over the resignations – including Javed Hashmi – participated in the meeting.
“There was no divergence of opinion over Imran’s decision and every participant wholeheartedly accepted the choices he made,” Qureshi said.
However, the party’s dissident group leader Gulzar Khan said that 26 out of 34 members have submitted their resignations so far. Gulzar Khan claims that he – along with two other leaders – has been expelled from the party for not submitting their resignations.
He added that there is no threat to their assembly memberships under the Political Parties Act 1973.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2014.