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President Alvi begins consultation on law ministry’s reply over election date

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  • President consults his adviser about ministry’s letter about CEC’s reply.
  • Alvi sought law ministry’s advice after CEC’s response on polls’ date.
  • Ministry said ECP has authority to give date for elections.

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has begun consultation with legal experts about the reply received from the Ministry of Law and Justice pertaining to the Chief Election Commissioner Syed Sikandar Sultan Raja’s response to him regarding election date.

The president, sources told The News, has held consultations with his adviser during a one-to-one meeting.

According to the sources, the presidency’s response to the law and justice ministry’s legal opinion is expected in a day or two. The President House’s sources also mentioned that Dr Alvi’s consultation with his adviser is a routine matter.

These consultations, the sources said, are mostly on cases referred to the ombudsman, and are also held in the one-on-one meeting; therefore, it cannot be said whether it is regarding the appeals against decisions of the federal ombudsman or any other subject.

The law and justice ministry had replied to the President House about the letter to its secretary, seeking an opinion on the date of general elections. The ministry, in its response, mentioned that the electoral watchdog has the authority to give the polls’ date.

The President House, last Thursday, sought the ministry’s legal opinion about the reply received from CEC Raja in which he maintained that only the ECP has the authority to give the date of the election.

It should be noted that President Alvi had written a letter to the CEC last week, inviting him for a meeting to fix the date for general elections in the country.

In his letter to CEC Raja, Dr Alvi also mentioned Clause 5 of Article 48 for ready reference in his letter, which read as, “(5) where the President dissolves the National Assembly (notwithstanding anything contained in clause (1), he shall,-

(a) Appoint a date not letter than ninety days from the date of the dissolution for the holding of a general election to the Assembly; and (b) Appoint a caretaker cabinet in accordance with the provisions of Article 224 or, as the case may be, Article 224A”.

The CEC, in his reply, said that fixing the election date is the prerogative of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

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PTI suggests resuming talks with government over judicial commission issue.

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Barrister Gohar, Chairman of the PTI, has claimed that the party’s founder has suspended negotiations, emphasizing that the government should declare the commission within seven days.

He emphasized the PTI’s openness to rethink if the government makes headway and establishes the commission.

Barrister Gohar told the reporters, “Seven days were enough to announce the commission.” We are ready to reconsider, but the government must first announce the commission.”

He stated that the PTI approached the negotiations with an open mind. “The PTI founder has halted the negotiations. “The government had eight laws on their agenda, while we only had two demands,” he stated.

The PTI chairman went on to say that even after seven days, no progress had been made in forming the commission. He encouraged the government to reconsider the decision and proceed with the announcement.

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PTI will declare February 8 to be “Black Day,” sparking protests across the country.

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According to reports, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) intends to hold rallies nationwide on Wednesday in support of its decision to declare February 8, the one-year anniversary of the general elections, a black day.

According to media sources, PTI founder Imran Khan has instructed all party lawmakers—including MPAs and MNAs—to plan and take part in demonstrations in their local communities on February 8 in order to draw attention to their complaints and issues.

In a recent meeting with legal advisors on Wednesday, Imran Khan expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the party’s Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram. The meeting emphasized the importance of party discipline and gave stern directives to abstain from any criticism of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of the JUI-F.

It has also been suggested that the PTI engage opposition leaders in the demonstrations in order to win their support.

Party insiders revealed that the founder has urged leaders to ensure effective coordination and mobilised efforts in preparation for February 8.

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In 13 cases involving the D-Chowk demonstration, Bushra Bibi granted temporary release until February 7.

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Bushra Bibi, the wife of the PTI chairman, was granted temporary release by the Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in 13 counts pertaining to the November 26 D-Chowk protest. Judge Tahir Abbas Supra ordered the police to produce all pertinent documentation by February 7 and granted bail against surety bonds of Rs. 5,000 apiece.

Additionally, Bushra Bibi was given temporary release until February 7 in the Rangers’ accident case. During the hearing, Judge Tahir Abbas Supra expressed disappointment over the behavior of the defense counsel on two occasions. Addressing the lawyers, he remarked, “You demand VIP protocol everywhere, but this is not possible. Prepare your files properly before coming to court.”

Three cases at the Secretariat Police Station, two each at the Margalla, Karachi Company, and Ramna Police Stations, and one each at the Tarnol, Kohsar, Aabpara, and Khanna Police Stations are among the numerous charges against Bushra Bibi.

In addition, the judge chastised the defense team for requesting that Bushra Bibi sign and thumbprint blank documents. He said, “The accused must sign and thumbprint the court orders, not blank sheets.”

Bushra Bibi also went to the Islamabad High Court to have her biometrics verified in relation to her appeal to be exonerated in the Toshakhana-II case. On Monday, Bushra Bibi and the PTI chairman submitted their acquittal petitions. After finishing the biometric procedure, she departed right away.

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