After the Senate adopted a bombshell resolution Friday pushing for postponement of the election scheduled for February 8, all major political forces of the country are scrambling to disavow the demand. Whose wishes does the resolution, tabled at a time when only 14 members were present, reflect?
By Nusrat Shaheen
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has repeatedly made known their desire to see General Election take place as scheduled, and the Election Commision has promised to oblige, with the caretaker government saying it will play along. All the major political parties of the country are chomping at the bits to contest the polls. But after Friday’s bombshell Senate resolution, there remains little doubt that someone somewhere wants the election put off for God knows how long.
It came as a surprise to all and sundry when the Upper House of the Parliament adopted a resolution Friday asking for postponement of General Election 2024 based on arguments like the country’s security situation, cold weather, and the resurgence of COVID-19.
The resolution was received with widespread consternation, with prominent politicians and analysts alike questioning its intent, constitutional and statutory standing, and timing.
A Geo News report said only 14 of the 100 Senators were present in the house when Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani tabled the resolution, moved by Independent Senator Dilawar Hussain. One senator, Senator Afnanullah of the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N), opposed the resolution while another, Senator Gurdeep Singh, abstained from voting.
Other reports said the caretaker government’s Minister for Information Murtaz Solangi also opposed the resolution. Some PML-N leaders and social media accounts were seen taking moral high ground claiming their only senator present opposed the resolution.
“This resolution (passed by 14 senators in a House of 100) is unfortunate!”, said PML-N’s Ayesha Raza Farooq, a former Senator (2015-21) who chairs the National Commission on the Rights of Child. “Glad that the only [PML-N] senator present in the Senate voted against it”.
Others pointed out that the Senator Dilawar Khan who presented the resolution got into the Upper House of Pakistan’s Parliament with PML-N support, and is nominally Independent because the apex court had annulled the Senate tickets allotted by Nawaz Sharif.
Journalist Matiuallah Jan of MJTV also pointed out that although Senator Afnanullah made a speech opposing the resolution and voted against it, he refrained from pointing out the attendance was far below the Senate quorum of 25. This, he said, reflects a duplicitous policy.
Former President Asif Zardari’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was particularly vociferous in its opposition and condemnation of the resolution. Several senior leaders of the party including Senators Naveed Qamar, Taj Haider, Sherry Rehman, and Shahadat Awan took to the social media to voice their abhorrence over the Senate move.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’ s PTI claimed Senator Gurdeep had opposed the resolution. It held PML-N responsible for the resolution in a bid to run away from the election. Senator Sher Afzal went as far as to invoke Article 6 of the constitution against the proponents and backers of the resolution.
Some smaller parties also weighed in. “According to the constitution, general elections cannot be postponed by passing a resolution in the senate, rather this process is a nefarious attempt to sabotage democracy”, Mir Kalam Wazir of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) said. “We believe that only free and fair elections can bring the country out of crisis.”
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Siraj-ul-Haq said that timely election is the only path to peace and stability in the country, and asserted that his party wants free and fair elections in the country on February 8.
The commentariat seemed to point fingers towards “the Establishment”, some saying it was a trial balloon sent up to gauge the reaction of various quarters to an actual delay in the election. Journalist Atif Zoolfikar said he had access to information that proved it is not the incumbent military command. Lawyer Mian Daud said former ISI chief Gen (R) Faiz Hameed was to blame.
It was not lost on anybody that Sanjrani deliberately sneaked the resolution through the houses, working in cahoots with a group of senators from Balochistan and the former FATA, all of whom have been tight with the military since the time of Gen Faiz Hameed.
Nor has anybody forgotten that Sanjrani himself had the former top spy to thank first for his spectacular rise to and then his incredible survival in office after a no-confidence move mounted jointly by the PML-N, PPP, and allied parties.
It seems the only ambiguity right now concerns if the clique of Senators behind the resolution including Sanjrani acted at the behest of some former generals or incumbent ones. In either case, it is fair to say somebody is in mortal fear of the election. The Election Commission of Pakistan on its part has reiterated its committment to deliver General Election 2024 on schedule.
The complete text of the resolutio is given below.
RESOLUTION
Acknowledging that:
The Constitution of Pakistan upholds the right to vote for every citizen of Pakistan; The Constitutional duty assigned to the Election Commission of Pakistan to conduct free and fair elections is contingent upon inclusivity and ensuring the participation of all regions and people;
The voter turnout in colder areas remains notably high during moderate weather conditions;
January and February are recognized as the coldest months in a majority of the areas of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa;
Various groups and political parties have expressed significant reservations regarding anticipated difficulties in ensuring the participation of residents in cold areas during the electioneering process
Noting with great concern that;-
Recent Incidents, Including the foiled attempts on the lives of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Faz1 (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and former MNA Mr. Mohsin Dawar, as well as threatening calls targeting Awami National Party’s Provincial Chief Mr. Aimal Wali Khan and other political figures, have raised concerns about the safety of political leaders;
The Ministry of Interior has conveyed serious threats to the lives of prominent politicians, further exacerbating the challenges faced by political parties in exercising their right to free and fair election campaigning;
There has been a marked Increase in attacks on security forces and citizens claiming precious lives particularly in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan Provinces. The intelligence agencies have warned of militant attack threats on election rallies In the two provinces;
Increase in attacks targeting both security forces and civilians, resulting in the loss of valuable lives, particularly in the northwestern region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan Provinces;
Alerts issued by intelligence agencies, indicating imminent threats of militant attacks on election rallies within the aforementioned provinces may have potential impact on the safety of citizens and the democratic electoral process;
Cognizant of the resurgence of the CovId-19 virus In the country and health sector’s concerns about potential further spread;
Reaffirms that while holding the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan regarding the elections date in the highest esteem for the Upper House of the Parliament, the Senate of Pakistan, being the defender of the rights of all federating units, is obligated to ensure the constitutional guarantees and to alleviate fears of the smaller provinces especially vulnerable geographical territories;
The Senate of Pakistan hereby RESOLVES that:-
Conducting elections without addressing legitimate concerns, facilitating sufficient opportunities for election campaigns, and guaranteeing the safety of politicians and citizens would amount to a violation of the fundamental right to vote and political participation, as safeguarded by the Constitution of Pakistan;
The Elections scheduled for 8th February 2024 may be postponed to facilitate the effective participation of people from all areas of Pakistan and belonging to all political shades in the electioneering process. This delay aims to protect and uphold their constitutional right to political participation;
The Election Commission of Pakistan is urged to promptly implement the postponement and ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place to facilitate the smooth conduct of elections on the revised date;
The process of filing of nomination papers and scrutiny shall continue with the revised/extended timelines:
The Election Commission of Pakistan shall engage proactively with relevant stakeholders, political parties, and communities in to address their concerns and foster an environment conducive to free and fair elections.
The Senate of Pakistan EXPRESSES confidence in the ability of the Election Commission of Pakistan to effectively manage and oversee the revised election schedule, ensuring the integrity and fairness of the electoral process.
[Signed]
SENATOR DILAWAR KHAN
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