Govt denies directive for election postponement

ISLAMABAD: Amidst recent discussions regarding the possible postponement of general elections, Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, and Parliamentary Affairs, Murtaza Solangi, clarified on Friday that there have been no directives from the Prime Minister or the federal cabinet advocating for any delay.

Speaking to the media outside the Parliament House, Minister Solangi emphasized the constitutional authority vested in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as per Article 218(3) of the Constitution. He highlighted that decisions regarding the conduct and scheduling of elections fall under the purview of the ECP, and the government respects the autonomy of this constitutional body.

Addressing a resolution on the potential delay in elections, Minister Solangi expressed regret for not having the opportunity to present arguments in the upper house. He acknowledged the challenges outlined in the resolution, attributing them to longstanding issues in Pakistan’s parliamentary politics and elections.

The minister underscored the government’s responsibility to address concerns related to harsh weather conditions and other logistical matters, including security. However, he affirmed that, as of now, no signals or directives have been received from any quarters regarding the postponement of elections.

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Minister Murtaza Solangi’s statement reinforces the government’s commitment to upholding constitutional principles and respecting the authority of the Election Commission. As the nation prepares for upcoming elections, the caretaker government remains focused on ensuring a transparent and timely electoral process in line with constitutional mandates.

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