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ISLAMABAD: Talks between Pakistan’s coalition government and the opposition led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan Tehreek-e-Insaf Pakistan The (PTI) regarding the fate of the elections in the country ended without any breakthrough, as the two sides stressed that more work is needed to address the political and constitutional crisis.
The talks had started on April 27 amid a fierce political atmosphere after the ruling coalition parties, through parliament, blocked all moves leading to the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on holding elections in the country’s most populous province, Punjab, on May 14. .
The movement had dissolved its government in Punjab last January in an apparent attempt to force the federal government to dissolve the National Assembly (NA) and call snap elections. Days later, the party also dissolved its provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the northwest.
However, with only 10 days left to the deadline, it seems unlikely that the elections will be held in Punjab on May 14. The Supreme Council instructs the government to direct funds to the Election Commission to conduct elections and provide security on polling day. Already challenged by Parliament.
Speaking to reporters at midnight after the third and final round of talks, Finance Minister and PML-N leader Ishaq Dar, who was heading the government delegation, said the two sides had agreed to hold national and provincial elections no later than May. One date under the supervision of the caretaker organs, but the date has not yet been determined.
During the discussions, the government insisted that all elections be held after the completion of NA’s current five-year term in August, while the opposition demanded the dissolution of the federal and local governments in Sindh and Balochistan before May 14, apparently seeking nationwide elections in mid-August. . .
Former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who led the PTI team, lamented that no decision had been taken on the “practical proposals” put forward by his party. He said that “setting the election date is a complicated process”, and urged the authorities to implement the Supreme Court’s order to hold elections in Punjab on May 14.
He said the movement is ready to go to the National Assembly to give a constitutional cover to the postponed elections if the government decides to dissolve the House of Representatives and the Senate before May 14.
The ruling coalition appears unwilling to hold elections before October, as evidenced by recent statements by members of the federal government. Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, leader of the PML-N, declared the talks with the movement “an exercise in futility”. Another PML-N minister, Javed Latif, referring to Imran’s party, said there was no point in talking to a “terrorist” group.
During the talks, the house in Lahore of the head of the movement and former Chief Minister of Punjab Pervez Elahi, as well as 33 party members, was raided by the police. The agency called the police raids and arrests an attempt to sabotage the talks, but was determined to stay at the table.
The talks had started on April 27 amid a fierce political atmosphere after the ruling coalition parties, through parliament, blocked all moves leading to the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on holding elections in the country’s most populous province, Punjab, on May 14. .
The movement had dissolved its government in Punjab last January in an apparent attempt to force the federal government to dissolve the National Assembly (NA) and call snap elections. Days later, the party also dissolved its provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the northwest.
However, with only 10 days left to the deadline, it seems unlikely that the elections will be held in Punjab on May 14. The Supreme Council instructs the government to direct funds to the Election Commission to conduct elections and provide security on polling day. Already challenged by Parliament.
Speaking to reporters at midnight after the third and final round of talks, Finance Minister and PML-N leader Ishaq Dar, who was heading the government delegation, said the two sides had agreed to hold national and provincial elections no later than May. One date under the supervision of the caretaker organs, but the date has not yet been determined.
During the discussions, the government insisted that all elections be held after the completion of NA’s current five-year term in August, while the opposition demanded the dissolution of the federal and local governments in Sindh and Balochistan before May 14, apparently seeking nationwide elections in mid-August. . .
Former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who led the PTI team, lamented that no decision had been taken on the “practical proposals” put forward by his party. He said that “setting the election date is a complicated process”, and urged the authorities to implement the Supreme Court’s order to hold elections in Punjab on May 14.
He said the movement is ready to go to the National Assembly to give a constitutional cover to the postponed elections if the government decides to dissolve the House of Representatives and the Senate before May 14.
The ruling coalition appears unwilling to hold elections before October, as evidenced by recent statements by members of the federal government. Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, leader of the PML-N, declared the talks with the movement “an exercise in futility”. Another PML-N minister, Javed Latif, referring to Imran’s party, said there was no point in talking to a “terrorist” group.
During the talks, the house in Lahore of the head of the movement and former Chief Minister of Punjab Pervez Elahi, as well as 33 party members, was raided by the police. The agency called the police raids and arrests an attempt to sabotage the talks, but was determined to stay at the table.
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