In a meeting with Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar Haq Kakar, American Ambassador Donald Bloom has reiterated his support for transparent elections.
This was the second back-to-back meeting of the American ambassador with the top officials of Pakistan in 24 hours for transparent elections. Earlier, he had met the Chief Election Commissioner last night in this regard.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, in a meeting with US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Bloom, assured that the main responsibility of the Caretaker Government is to support the Election Commission (ECP) in conducting general elections.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar reiterated Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen bilateral cooperation with the United States in important areas including trade and investment, energy, security and climate change.
The Prime Minister appreciated the role of the United States in helping to stabilize Pakistan’s economy and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to continue its reform agenda to achieve sustainable development. He hoped that American companies would look for opportunities to take advantage of the vast investment potential in the information technology sector. He stressed on increasing people-to-people links between countries.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan and the United States have long-standing and broad-based relations rooted in mutual respect, common interests and common values. He expressed satisfaction over the current positive momentum of bilateral relations. Anwarul Haq Kakar emphasized that the primary responsibility of the caretaker government is to assist the Election Commission of Pakistan in the electoral process and constitutional reform in the era of democratic transition. Provide continuity. In a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, it was said that the Prime Minister reiterated the government’s desire to further strengthen bilateral cooperation with the United States in key areas including trade, investment, energy, security and climate change. The Prime Minister emphasized that the caretaker government’s primary responsibility is to assist the Election Commission in the electoral process and provide constitutional continuity during the democratic transition.
The American Ambassador congratulated Anwarul Haq Kakar on assuming the post of Caretaker Prime Minister and reiterated America’s commitment to support Pakistan’s economic and development agenda.
Meanwhile, in a post on the social networking website X (Twitter), Donald Bloom said that during the meeting with the Caretaker Prime Minister, he discussed Pak-US relations, support for free and fair elections and building a future under the Pak-US Green Alliance. reiterated his desire to work for
He also stressed the importance of maintaining the ongoing partnership with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the protection and economic recovery of religious minorities.
Earlier, American Ambassador Donald Bloom, in a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, reiterated the support of the United States for free and fair elections in accordance with the laws and constitution of Pakistan. Ambassador Donald Bloom in his meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, Donald Bloom reiterated that the future leaders of Pakistan are to be chosen by the Pakistani people, whoever the Pakistani people choose, America will be with Pakistan-U.S. Committed to working to broaden and deepen relationships.It should be noted that the President of the State Dr. Arif Alvi had invited the Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja to a meeting to fix the date of the general elections.
On the other hand, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, while replying to the letter written by President Arif Alvi for a meeting in view of ‘fixing a suitable date’ for the general elections, said that the meeting is of no use. It will happen while the Commission has the authority to fix the date of general elections after the change in the election rules.
In his letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, the President referred to the constitutional requirement that general elections must be held within 90 days after the dissolution of the National Assembly. In which he invited the Election Commissioner for a meeting regarding the conduct of general elections in the country.
Referring to Article 244 of the Constitution, President Arif Alvi wrote in his letter that he is bound to hold elections within a fixed period of 90 days after the premature dissolution of the National Assembly.
In the letter written by the President, it was said that the National Assembly was dissolved on August 9 on the advice of the Prime Minister, while under Article 48 (5) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President He is bound to set a date for holding general elections within 90 days from the date of dissolution of the assembly. He said that under sub-clause 5 of Article 48 of the Constitution of Pakistan, the President is bound to set a date for the dissolution of the National Assembly. Not more than 90 days for general elections after
The President referred to Clause 5 of Article 48 of the Constitution which states that when the President dissolves the National Assembly and there is no reference to Clause 1, he shall fix a date for elections to the National Assembly which shall be held by the President. Not more than 90 days after the date of dissolution.
In the letter, it was stated that a caretaker cabinet will be formed as per Article 224 or 224A of the Constitution. Sikandar Sultan Raja’s letter said that the Commission respectfully believes that the Constitution mentioned in your (President’s) letter. Reliance on provisions does not apply in this context.
Delimitation of constituencies after approval of digital census is one of the ‘fundamental legal steps’ towards holding elections.
The Chief Election Commissioner said that the Election Commission is taking its responsibility of conducting the general elections in the country very seriously and the commission has also invited the political parties to give their opinion regarding the elections. In spite of the above stated position of the Commission, it is respectfully submitted that the Commission holds the position of the President in high esteem and it has always been an honor to meet and seek guidance from you on national issues at appropriate times. In the letter, it was further stated that keeping in mind the above mentioned points, the Election Commission believes that there will be no benefit in meeting the President regarding the general elections.
Later, in a statement released on the social media website X (Twitter), it was said that the President has sought the opinion of the Ministry of Law and Justice on the letter of the Election Commission of Pakistan. It may be recalled that on February 20, President Arif Alvi had unilaterally announced April 9 as the date for the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assemblies elections as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf governments, on the orders of party chairman Imran Khan, were to end their five-year term. Both assemblies were dissolved. The President’s unilateral announcement came after the Election Commission ignored his invitation to consult on the dates of elections to the two assemblies.
However, the situation has changed now as the recent amendments to the election laws have empowered the Chief Election Commissioner to fix the date of elections without consulting the President. In a letter to the President, Sikandar Sultan Raja said it must be mentioned that Section 57 of the Election Act was amended by the Parliament, which empowers the Election Commission to fix the date of general elections.It should be noted that on August 9, President Dr. Arif Alvi dissolved the National Assembly on the advice of former Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, after which the Federal Cabinet was also dissolved.
On August 6, the government announced that the assemblies would be dissolved on August 9, three days ahead of schedule, after which elections would be held within 90 days. The term of the dissolved assembly was ending on August 12, but due to the premature dissolution of the assembly, the Election Commission has to conduct the election within the next 90 days according to the constitution. If the assembly completes its term, the election The commission had to conduct the election within 60 days.
The Election Commission had decided to delimit new constituencies according to the published official results of Digital Census 2023 last week and had sought support from the provincial governments and statistical institutes in this regard, necessary orders had been issued in this regard.
According to the schedule issued by the Election Commission, the constituencies will be finally published on 14 December 2023. The Election Commission has written to the political parties and invited the representatives of the parties for consultation regarding the upcoming general elections.
The Election Commission wrote in the letter that a letter has been written to the political parties for consultation regarding the election schedule, constituencies, electoral list and the date of holding the general elections. The letters have been written to Pakistan People’s Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League (N) President Shehbaz Sharif, PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Jamiat Ulema Islam (F) Chief Maulana Fasul Rehman.
It should be noted that on the other hand, caretaker Information and Broadcasting Minister Murtaza Solangi says that it is our primary mandate to give full support for holding elections on the scheduled date.
The caretaker government is committed to conduct timely elections, we respect the law and the constitution and it is not our mandate to interfere in court cases for or against anyone.
While giving an interview to a private TV channel, he said that we are a responsible and constitutional interim government and we do not make any derogatory comments against any constitutional office or be a part of it because we stand by our oath.
The caretaker Information and Broadcasting Minister said that the previous coalition government is responsible for whatever steps it took. However, we are aware of the increase in the prices of electricity, gas and other essential commodities and for this purpose we will give an economic recovery plan next week.
