ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for assisting the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In a letter written to the prime minister, President Alvi asked the premier to direct federal and provincial authorities to help ECP in holding the Punjab and KP elections as per the orders of the Supreme Court.
The president approached the PM two days after the electoral watchdog postponed the Punjab Assembly elections until October 8.
“It is further emphasised that all concerned executive authorities of federal and provincial governments should be directed to refrain from abuse of human rights and also to assist the ECP to hold general elections in provinces of Punjab and KP, within the timeframe in compliance of Supreme Court’s order dated March 1 to avoid further complications, including contempt of court,” said the Alvi’s letter.
It further said the ECP had approached the relevant Punjab and KP departments regarding holding elections but “it appears federal and caretaker governments in Punjab and KP advised the heads of concerned departments to indicate their inability to provide necessary support for holding general elections.”
Alvi said that a “flagrant violation of the Constitution” had been committed by executive authorities and government departments.
He said the ECP had not implemented his earlier announcement fixing April 30 as the date for polls in Punjab, and had “blatantly violated” the apex court’s March 1 order.
Alvi said: “It is a matter of concern that no meaningful consultation with the president on policy issues has been undertaken by the prime minister in line with the above article.”
“Your attention is drawn towards the seriousness of these incidents of human rights violations, atrocities of police/law enforcement agencies and grossly disproportionate use of force against the citizens of Pakistan. Multiple fake and frivolous cases have been registered against politicians, workers, journalists and media persons. Houses of political workers have been raided and citizens abducted without warrants and lawful justification.
“The incidents of human rights violations and oppression by state machinery against innocent citizens are in clear breach and violations of fundamental rights guaranteed by Article 4 of the Constitution, that provides for, and guarantees citizens to enjoy the protection of law and to be treated in accordance with the law,” the letter said.
He said, “This has tarnished the image of Pakistan in the international community and is casting negative repercussions on the future of democracy and state of human rights in Pakistan.”
“In recent months, media has been further suppressed and journalists have also been subjected to charges of sedition and terrorism to stifle dissent and criticism against the government. It appears that a reign of terror has been unleashed against the media persons who have independent opinions,” he said.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali Friday wrote a letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold the general elections in the province on October 8.
Couple of days ago, the electoral watch dog also announced October 8 date for Punjab elections, citing rise in terror activities in the province.
