- As PTI loses popularity, it fears elections
Suddenly the KP government has felt it necessary to write to the ECP to delay July 2 elections in merged tribal districts now forming part of the province. It is claimed that “the current unwarranted situation and threats of a serious nature from across the border, and some developments within the newly merged districts that may sabotage the whole process of holding forthcoming elections.” The reasons advanced by the government are untenable and in no way justify postponement.
Let us take the “threats of serious nature from across the border”. These threats are neither new nor have they assumed an extraordinary proportion. In 2008 the terrorists both inside the country and Afghanistan had threatened the PPP, ANP and MQM that they would launch attacks on their public gatherings in case they decided to fight the elections. The elections were not stopped though several candidates of the three parties lost lives, Bashir Billour of the ANP being the most prominent. This time the situation is much better. Important initiatives have been taken to improve relations with Afghanistan including a meeting between PM Imran Khan and President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of the OIC summit last month. A second meeting between the two is due this month in Islamabad. A top level Afghan delegation comprising senior civil and military officers was in Islamabad in May. A Pakistani team headed by Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and an Afghan team led by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Idrees Zaman Afghan is currently holding talks in Islamabad. Afghan government would see to it that there is no incident from its side during the polls.
The “current unwarranted situation” would get resolved through elections. In case the people felt they were being disenfranchised through delaying tactics to manipulate the elections the situation could further deteriorate. The KP government is creating a perception that it is afraid of the elections. North Waziristan will take years before it has the type of “peaceful environment” that adviser to KP chief minister wants. Making this an excuse to postpone election will strengthen mistrust and suspicions. This must not be allowed to happen.