Connect with us

Politics

‘Unconstitutional’: Political parties slam Senate resolution on polls deferral

Published

10 months ago

on

  • Senator Shahadat Awan calls it “rebellion against Constitution”.
  • Sher Afzal Marwat says Constitution was “violated” in Senate.
  • Sirajul Haq terms resolution conspiracy against democracy.

After the Senate adopted a resolution seeking a delay in general elections with just a month left in the much-awaited polls, political parties Friday rejected the non-binding resolution, saying that further deferring the electoral process would be “unconstitutional”.

The majority of the lawmakers present in the legislature approved the resolution — seeking polls delay in the light of extreme weather in hilly areas and the deteriorating security situation — moved by independent lawmaker Senator Dilawar Khan earlier in the day.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman, while addressing a press conference after the resolution was approved in the upper house of parliament, said that the party has a clear stance that the elections should not be put off.

“We absolutely do not support the delay in elections,” she said, adding that the PPP didn’t favour the Senate resolution.

Meanwhile, PPP enator Shahadat Awan — who was not present during the session — said that his party wants elections to be staged under any circumstances.

“This is rebellion against the Constitution. It was a [pre-planned] move and a conspiracy because the the polls must be held on time,” he said.

He reiterated that the resolution was tabled under a “plan” as the matter was not part of the Order of the Day today. Senator Awan said that the PPP is fully prepared for the polls.

“Those who can see their defeat [in elections] want to delay the polls,” he added.

Sher Afzal Marwat, central leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which also abstained from voting on the motion today, told Geo News that the Constitution was “violated” in the Senate.

“The resolution for delay in general elections is an attack on the Constitution,” he said, adding that there is no single clause in the charter for putting off the polls.

Marwat also said that Article 6 applies to all those who voted in favour of the resolution. No one can approve an anti-constitutional resolution in the Senate, he added.

Condemning the approval of the Senate resolution, Jamat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Sirajul Haq said that the motion was a conspiracy against the country and democracy.

“Who will bring the democracy on track if it is derailed,” he said, stressing that delaying elections due to unrest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan would be tantamount to surrendering before the ones causing unrest.

Haq said that peace and stability in the country could be ensured only through timely elections. He said that his party wants free and fair elections in the country on February 8.

The resolution moved by Senator Dilawar got the approval in the presence of 14 senators, who were the only lawmakers present in the upper house of 100.

PTI Senator Gurdeep Singh and PPP Senator Behramand Tangi abstained from voting. Following the vote, the Senate chairman adjourned the session indefinitely.

The elections are set to take place in 90 days when an assembly is dissolved, but the polls in all five legislative are yet to be held and they’ve already surpassed their constitutional limit.

The polls for KP and Punjab assemblies — dissolved in January last year — have not been held for around a year, while the national, Balochistan, and Sindh assemblies have been pushed past their limits as well already.

With the fears rife of delays, a petition was also moved in the Supreme Court, following which the apex court directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and President Arif Alvi to announce a date, which they did: February 8.

However, some political actors have been raising concerns about the security situation as well as the weather conditions. They say that they don’t want a delay, but called for the redressal of their problems.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

On Friday, PTI calls for nationwide protests.

Published

1 day ago

on

By

PTI called for a nationwide walkout on Friday (tomorrow) in opposition to the proposed constitutional amendment package, citing its founder Imran Khan’s incarceration as unfair treatment, and demanding access to the jailed leader for attorneys, PTI leaders, and supporters.

Within a meeting, the PTI’s leaders resolved to stage a nationwide protest, the party claimed in a statement released on Wednesday.

In both houses of the parliament, every effort was decided to be made to obstruct the path of modification, according to the statement.

As well as advocate Intizar Hussain Panjotha, Azam Swati, and all other jailed leaders, activists, and members of parliament—including the president of Tehreek-e-Insaf Balochistan—the party’s political committee demanded their release. Aleema and Uzma Khanum are the sisters of PTI founder Imran Khan.

The PTI requested that following Friday prayers, regional organizations stage a nonviolent demonstration at district headquarters.

It argued that the constitutional change is an unacceptable attempt by the administration to distort the Constitution.

In a statement, it was stated that Imran Khan’s release was sought and that both chambers of parliament had decided to do all within their power to obstruct the amendment.

Continue Reading

Latest News

The National Assembly is expected to assemble on October 18 to approve proposed constitutional modifications.

Published

2 days ago

on

By

It is anticipated that the National Assembly will meet on October 18 or 19 to ratify the proposed 26th constitutional amendment.

The National Assembly Secretariat has reportedly been instructed to get ready for the important gathering, according to sources.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has expressed strong opposition to the proposal, which seeks to overhaul the judiciary. The government coalition is pushing through its legislative agenda in spite of this opposition.

In the 342-member National Assembly, the constitutional modification bill needs 224 votes, or a two-thirds majority, to be approved. But with only 215 members, the ruling coalition is now not strong enough to form a majority.

111 members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), 70 members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), 22 members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), five members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), and smaller numbers from other affiliated parties like the National Party, the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), and the Pakistan Muslim League-Zia make up the breakdown.

Political analysts speculate that the recent verdict by the Supreme Court on Article 63-A, which permits the votes of dissident members, may be crucial in obtaining the necessary majority given the size of the ruling coalition.

To get their support for the amendment, the administration might try to influence PTI-aligned lawmakers.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), has become a crucial player in this political equation. The backing of his party may be essential to guaranteeing the bill’s passing.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced yesterday that the constitutional amendment draft has been agreed upon. In an effort to strengthen his party’s position, he is scheduled to meet with PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif tomorrow and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari today.

Continue Reading

Latest News

C’MAN PPP Addresses Ceremony In Karachi: Following The Impact Of Climate Change, The Agriculture Sector Needs To Be Regulated

Published

3 days ago

on

By

Amid the consequences of climate change, the agriculture industry need regulation, according to Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

According to Bilawal Bhutto, agriculture is the backbone of the nation, as she stated during a ceremony in Karachi.

He claimed that during his first tenure in office, President Asif Ali Zardari moved historic measures to ensure the prosperity of farmers in the nation and supported small-scale farming.

According to Bilawal, the rights of the nation’s farmers and laborers have always been upheld by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.

He emphasized that the Pakistan People’s Party has consistently supported the rights of the poor and that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto made courageous choices to defend the rights of farmers.

Continue Reading

Trending