President Alvi refrained from definitively setting a date for national polls. Instead, he acknowledged the contentious nature of the issue and suggested seeking court advice, characterizing the letter as a ploy to stir unnecessary commotion—an area where Alvi is considered proficient.
PTI’s Perspective
The drafting of President Alvi’s letter to the Chief Election Commissioner is seen as a significant but somewhat disappointing act. According to critics, he was expected to issue a gazette notification, exercising his powers under Article 48(5) of the constitution, and directing the fixation of the election date. The letter, however, does not hold the weight of a formal notification and does not establish legal or constitutional obligations. This move is perceived as an implicit surrender of authority, potentially weakening PTI’s position before the Supreme Court.
While President Alvi’s letter may have caused confusion and concern among various segments of society, it’s essential to consider the possible motives behind this move. Some argue that the PTI government may still hold hopes of navigating the electoral process to its advantage. By introducing a tentative date, President Alvi may be attempting to create an environment conducive to PTI’s electoral prospects.
This is how President Alvi merely points out the latest possible date for elections to the NA (when he clearly has the constitutional obligation to appoint a date for elections within 90 days of dissolution).
In the cases of KPK and Punjab, the CECP’s response to the president’s inquiry about the election date served as a clear dismissal. This prompts the question of why President Alvi would traverse the same path again. This letter essentially outlines how President Alvi “announced” the election date for the Punjab and KP assemblies, despite lacking the constitutional authority to do so.
The President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi has graciously carried out his Constitutional obligations under Article (48)-5. Now, the people of Pakistan are looking up to the Supreme Court to implement the true mandate of the Constitution by directing the Election Commission to hold elections by 6th November 2023. How can you still believe the election commission will hold elections, even on the court’s orders, when elections were not held on 14th May 2023 despite the court’s orders? Stop daydreaming, elections will not be held even if the court gives orders!
President Alvi wrote a letter with an election date of November 6th on Monday. Let’s see who else becomes subject to Article 6 in the future for violating constitutional responsibilities along with with others who already are subject to Article 6 for Punjab and KPK.
Incredible to see the lengths to which some people have gone since January to NOT hold elections in the country, and to stray away from the black-and-white constitutional position of elections being held in 90 days. This fundamental violation of the constitution has already resulted in unelected governments in KP and Punjab for 239 and 243 days respectively; unprecedented outside of periods of martial law. It has resulted in the worst crackdowns of law and order and the incredible sight of a 26-member cabinet being fired without exception in KP.
It is unbelievable, and almost funny (if it weren’t so sad) to see how far certain politicians and a set of supposed media persons are going to argue for not holding elections. All it reflects on is their lack of democratic credentials, and their lack of objectivity as mediapersons, respectively. It is only in Pakistan that a principle as fundamental as that of elected governments could be questioned on the basis of minute points of the bureaucratic process.
President Alvi provided a tentative 90-day timeframe (since the dissolution of assemblies, this would lead to November 6th) without firmly setting the date. He had the option to exert his veto power but chose not to do so.
