LAHORE: President Dr Arif Alvi yesterday held meeting with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan here. Meeting took place at Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence. Meeting discussed polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies and overall political situation of province. Both leaders expressed reservations with ECP for not announcing dates for KP, Punjab elections.

“ECP failed to fulfil its fundamental duty,” said Imran Khan while talking to President Alvi. President Arif Alvi asked Election Commission of Pakistan to immediately issue election schedule for Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial assemblies.

In letter addressed to Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, President Arif Alvi said that election of an assembly is to be held within 90 days of dissolution as provided by Article 224(2) of Constitution. He highlighted that conduct and holding of elections was primary and essential duty of ECP as per PART VIII of Constitution, particularly Article 218 (3) which assigned duty to ECP to ensure holding of fair and free elections.

He reminded CEC and other ECP members about their fundamental duty as per their oath under Article 214 and Third Schedule of Constitution, which says, “I will discharge my duties faithfully in accordance with Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan” and Elections Act, 2017 to avoid serious consequences of breach/violation of Constitution/law and announce election schedule of two dissolved assemblies forthwith.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 10 2023

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