And announce the election schedule
With elections due within months important steps still remain to be taken. These include the announcement of the election schedule and a consensus on a caretaker prime minister and four chief ministers. What stands in the way is a delay on the part of the federal government to take the initiative. The opposition believes that the delay is caused by PPP’s desire to have opposition leaders of its own choice in Sindh and Balochistan assemblies.
Kaira’s statement regarding the dissolution of the assemblies in a few days is welcome despite its somewhat guarded wording. He has declined to accept Qadri’s demand concerning the setting up of a new Election Commission on the ground that there were differences of opinion over the matter. While an overwhelming majority of the jurists think that it was not possible after the 20th amendment to dissolve the commission, a minority maintains that relevant constitutional provisions were not strictly followed in the appointment of the CEC. At a press conference with Tahirul Qadri, Kaira has agreed to appoint the caretaker setup in consultation with the TMQ leader. More important, however, is to hold talks with the opposition leader in the NA which is a constitutional requirement.
Meanwhile, the PML-N has announced to hold a sit-in outside Parliament House to protest against, inter alia, delay in the appointment of leaders of opposition in Sindh and Balochistan assemblies. Any decision seen to be taken in violation of the constitutional provisions could lead to widespread protests. Imran Khan has already threatened to lead a long march to Islamabad in case of any irregularities in the appointment of the caretaker setup. The opposition parties which rejected Qadri’s demands for a government change had authorised PML-N to call an APC again in case there was any violation of the constitution. While Imran Khan has finally decided not to take part in the sit-in, a number of religious and nationalist parties have agreed to join the PML-N protest. These include JUI-F and PML-F which have a significant presence in the Parliament and JI, a faction of Sunni Ittehad Council, Jamiate Ahle Hadis and Sindh United Front who are capable of jointly putting up a significant street show.
Whatever the merits of the recently published IRI survey regarding the popularity of the various political parties, it is bound to generate a controversy regarding its timing and genuineness. Only the election results will show which party really enjoys people’s trust. It is time for everyone to stop politicking and hold talks as required under constitution to reach agreement on the caretaker setup. There should be no delay in the announcement of the election schedule.
