Islamabad: President Arif Alvi and Election Caommission of Pakistan (ECP) reached an agreement on holding general elections on February 8.

Agreement was reached after meeting was held on directives of Supreme Court (SC), which had directed electoral watchdog to confer with President on poll date.

Subsequently, ECP had sprung into action and delegation headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja met with President at Aiwan-i-Sadr.

After meeting wrapped up, it emerged that CEC Raja had written letter to President proposing February 11 as date for general elections.

However, more than an hour later Presidency issued statement saying that President had met with CEC, all four members of Commission and Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan on directives issued by SC.

“In meeting, date for holding next general elections was discussed,” statement said, adding that President also listened to progress made by ECP regarding delimitation of constituencies.

“After detailed discussion, meeting unanimously agreed to hold general elections in country on February 8, 2024,” statement said.

Earlier in day, Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa had directed ECP to confer with Alvi on poll date after electoral body said that elections would be held on February 11. “Let ECP meet with President of Pakistan today and date for holding general elections in Pakistan be appointed,” top judge said in written order. He directed AGP Awan to arrange meeting, provide Alvi with court order and be available to render assistance.

“We expect that matter of appointing date  for holding general elections shall be settled and this court will be informed today (Nov 3),” Justice Isa added. Order was issued after three-judge bench comprising CJP, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan and Justice Athar Minallah heard set of petitions calling for holding elections within 90 days after dissolution of National Assembly and provincial legislatures.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 03 2023

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