• President Arif Alvi met PTI Chairman Imran Khan in Lahore
• They discussed the letter sent by the president to the ECP
• They agreed on implementing the constitution to avert crises

LAHORE: President Arif Alvi on Thursday met Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and discussed matters related to upcoming elections.

The president arrived at Imran Khan’s residence in Zaman Park and discussed the country’s economic and political situation along with issues of mutual interest.

They also discussed the letter sent by the president to the Election Commission of Pakistan to conduct the elections within the stipulated time. period. The constitution sets a deadline of 90 days for holding elections after the dissolution of the legislature.

Both agreed that the inability or failure to conduct the elections within the mandatory period of 90 days is a clear violation of the constitution. In case of deviation, the constitution itself gives clear instructions.

They also agreed that it is necessary to implement the constitution to rid the country of political and economic crises.

President Dr Arif Alvi has instructed the election commission to immediately issue the election schedule for the provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

President Alvi wrote a letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raj to announce the election date or else it would be held responsible for violating the constitution.

The president reminded that Article 224(2) stipulates that elections are to be held within 90 days if an assembly has been dissolved before time. He added that ECP’s primary job was to conduct and hold elections.

“Thus, it is ultimately the Commission, which if it fails to discharge its functions and duties, is to be held responsible and answerable for the violation of our Constitution,” the president warned.

Referring to his oath of preserving and defending the Constitution, President Alvi reminded the CEC and the ECP members about their fundamental duty.

He reminded the ECP chief and members that they should announce the election date to avoid serious consequences of breach and violation of the Constitution and law.

The president stated that there are no circumstances for any justification for delaying or postponing elections. He added that postponements of constitutionally-mandated elections have morphed into serious long term set-backs to democracy.

President Alvi lauded the ECP for announcing by-polls for the vacant National Assembly seats and asked the body to immediately issue an election schedule.

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