In a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, President Dr. Arif Alvi has requested his and caretaker governments’ assistance in helping the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) organize elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
The president claimed in his letter that the ECP “blatantly violated the Supreme Court’s order dated March 1” by failing to carry out his statement of holding Punjab elections on April 30 and by delaying elections for provincial assembly.
The Constitution’s Article 46 specifies that the Prime Minister “shall keep the President informed on all matters of internal and foreign policy and on all legislative proposals the federal government intends to bring before the parliament.” President Alvi also cited this provision.
The letter added, “It is concerning that the Prime Minister has not engaged in any meaningful consultation with the President on policy issues in accordance with the aforementioned Article.”
In addition, President Alvi called attention to “glaring violations of fundamental and human rights,” crimes committed by law enforcement and the police, and the use of force on Pakistanis.
“Numerous fictitious and baseless cases have been brought against officials, employees, journalists, and members of the media. Politicians’ homes have been searched, and people have been kidnapped without cause or legal authority.
According to him, such infringements on the basic and human rights protected by Pakistan’s constitution, as well as restrictions on free expression, have damaged Pakistan’s standing in the eyes of the world community and would have a detrimental effect on the country’s democracy in the future.
