ISLAMABAD: In a recent development, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar received a message from President Dr. Arif Alvi on Wednesday, expressing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) worries about the loss of basic rights and the significance of providing equal opportunities for all political parties.
In a letter to the acting premier, President Alvi praised Mr. Kakar’s recent remarks and reaffirmed the caretaker government’s commitment to guaranteeing impartial and level elections.
Demand a fair and impartial election atmosphere
President Alvi also sent a letter to the Prime Minister, highlighting certain topics of concern in the political environment, from PTI’s General Secretary, Mr. Omar Ayub Khan.
The president emphasised that democracy continues to be the only feasible route for Pakistan’s advancement since it enables citizens to engage in political discourse and express their thoughts via a free and impartial media.
He underlined how popular it is in Pakistan for all political parties and their leaders to be allowed to run for office, with the people making the final decision.
essential rights under jeopardy
The President also stated that PTI’s concerns on the degradation of fundamental rights had been communicated by Mr. Omar Ayub Khan.
These concerns included things like forced political conversions, enforced disappearances, unfair treatment of major political parties, media repression, and long-term unlawful detentions that abuse female political activists.
The requirement of the constitution
President Alvi emphasised that, in accordance with Article 41 of the Pakistani Constitution, he, the Prime Minister, and all other institutions had a responsibility to defend the constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens.
He emphasised that when forced disappearances led to the change of political affiliations or allegiances, they constituted a cause for worry, especially when they included people with recognised political affiliations.
When female political workers were repeatedly arrested after obtaining judicial relief or subjected to protracted detentions, the matter also became problematic.
The President referred to Article 4 of the Pakistani Constitution, which upholds each citizen’s intrinsic right to be treated fairly under the law. In addition, he brought forward Article 17, which states that every person has the freedom to organise into groups and join political parties.
Additionally, every person has the right to freedom of speech and expression, which includes freedom of the press, according to Article 19 of the Constitution.
