A resolution was submitted in the Upper House of the Parliament on Saturday seeking adherence to constitutional requirement of holding timely elections.
The fresh resolution submitted by Jamait-e-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, has stirred controversy within the political landscape.
The upper house passed a non-binding resolution on Friday, citing security concerns as grounds to delay the polls.
During the session, PML-N Senator Afnan Ullah Khan voiced opposition to the resolution, which was initially introduced by independent Senator Dilawar Khan in a session attended by only 15 lawmakers.
The subsequent criticism from various political parties followed the passage of the resolution, with the caretaker information minister asserting that there was no directive from the prime minister or federal cabinet to delay the elections.
In a twist of events, JI Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan submitted a fresh resolution to the Senate secretariat, advocating for the timely conduct of elections.
The inclusion of this resolution in the upcoming Senate session agenda remains uncertain as the session date has not been confirmed.
“I introduce this resolution in the house, asserting that conducting elections is a constitutional requirement,” reads the draft of the resolution.
It underscores the fundamental responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan and the caretaker government to ensure the prompt holding of elections.
The resolution further points out that a Supreme Court verdict and an announcement from the Election Commission of Pakistan have already set the election date for Feb 8, 2024.
It deems the Friday-passed resolution by the Senate, seeking a delay in polls, as “unconstitutional and undemocratic.”
Emphasizing that the Senate lacks the authority to act against constitutional mandates, the JI senator’s resolution calls for the insistence on free and fair elections in line with the Supreme Court’s directives.
It also calls for ensuring a level playing field for all political parties and urges the nullification of the resolution passed by the upper house on Friday.
