Zardari advises Shehbaz, Fazl not to delay elections

ISLAMABAD: Former president Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and President of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Maulana Fazlur Rehman called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at PM House in Islamabad on Friday.

According to Bol News TV, during the meeting of the three leaders, PML-N Supremo Leader Nawaz Sharif was also consulted on telephone regarding the overall current situation of the country.

They also discussed particularly economic and political situation in detail. They agreed to move forward with the consultation of the allies.

The overall constitutional, legal and political situation also came under discussion during the huddle.

They decided to consult with other allies of the PDM and the government will take a stand on the matter soon.

Meanwhile, an  inside story of the meeting of the three leaders of the ruling coalition revealed that the three allies have different views on the elections in both provinces.

Sources said that former president Asif Ali Zardari advised not to delay the elections, adding that Zardari is a supporter of elections in the light of the Supreme Court’s order.

Delay in the election will make the situation more complicated, opined Zardari.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed his reservations about the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that the conditions in the province are not such that they can conduct an election campaign.

In view of the country’s economic situation, the election may be delayed by two to four months, he opined.

Earlier in the day, President Dr Arif Alvi approved the date for the election in Punjab and announced the polls would be held on April 30 (Sunday).

The development came after ECP wrote a letter to the president and suggested dates from April 30 to May 7.

It should be noted that an important meeting regarding the date of elections was held in Punjab under the chairmanship of the Chief Election Commissioner during which important issues were discussed.

After the meeting, the Election Commission wrote a letter to the President regarding the suggestion of an election date.

Meanwhile addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Friday, Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar said that there is no plan to impose financial emergency in the country yet.

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