ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) presented its concerns about the upcoming general elections in a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Sikandar Sultan Raja.
The party has consistently voiced reservations about the election date, asserting that the polls should be conducted within the 90-day timeframe as stipulated by the Constitution.
On August 17, the electoral body announced the timetable for new delimitations, to be carried out based on the recently approved census by the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
According to the ECP’s schedule, the process of fresh delimitation would take around four months, making it impossible to hold the general elections within 90 days after the dissolution of the provincial and national assemblies.
Following the meeting, PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman stated in a press conference, “We had a constructive meeting with the ECP during which we presented all our reservations.”
Rehman emphasized that it is the responsibility of the electoral body to conduct the elections. Still, the Constitution mandates that the polls should be held within 90 days of the National Assembly’s dissolution.
PPP leader Nayyar Bukhari highlighted that the Constitution specifies a timeframe
Meanwhile, PPP leader Nayyar Bukhari highlighted that the Constitution specifies a time frame for elections and stressed the importance of setting a date for the polls.
Bukhari mentioned, “The ECP listened to our perspective and will communicate their decision regarding the elections after a meeting. We will finalize our next action plan during the CEC meeting in Lahore.”
Meanwhile, the ECP is engaged in ongoing consultations with various political parties. The electoral body has invited the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) for discussions on Wednesday at 2 p.m., and an Awami National Party (ANP) delegation, including Mian Iftikhar Hussain, Zahid Khan, Wakil Khushdil, and Wakil Rahim, for a meeting at 11 am.
The ECP stated, “Consultations with BAP about the general elections will take place.”
Additionally, the ECP has already conducted consultations with the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F). During these meetings, the JUI-F and PML-N expressed support for holding general elections after the delimitation process, while the PTI urged the electoral body to forgo the process and conduct elections within 90 days.
The Islamabad District and Sessions Court has granted a one-day physical remand for PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in relation to the cypher misplacement case. The court has directed the investigating officer to present Shah Mahmood Qureshi again tomorrow for further proceedings.
The FIR against Qureshi was filed under the recently enacted Official Secrets Act. The magistrate conducted an in-camera hearing of the case, with only relevant lawyers present.
Previously, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had requested a 14-day physical remand for Qureshi, and the court had reserved its decision. Before appearing in court, Shah Mahmood Qureshi met with former PTI leader Shireen Mazari.
