As the February 8 general election approaches, the upper house of Pakistan Parliament has passed a resolution seeking to delay the polls by over a month due to heightened ‘security concerns’ in Pakistan.
The resolution, put forth by independent Senator Dilawar Khan in a session with only 14 lawmakers present, faced opposition from Interim Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi and PML-N Senator Afnan Ullah Khan, as reported by DAWN
Dilawar Khan, as he presented the resolution, emphasized the constitutional right to vote for every Pakistani citizen and the Election Commission of Pakistan’s responsibility to conduct free and fair polls ensuring inclusivity.
Pointing to the challenges posed by the cold weather in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during January and February, he noted concerns raised by political parties regarding participation difficulties in these regions.
The senator expressed “great concern” over recent attempts on the lives of prominent politicians, including JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman and former lawmaker Mohsin Dawar.
Referring to serious threats conveyed by the Ministry of Interior, Dilawar highlighted the increased challenges faced by political parties in ensuring a free and fair election, said the report.
He further drew attention to a surge in attacks on security forces and citizens, particularly in KP and Balochistan.
Citing intelligence agencies’ warnings of potential militant attacks on election rallies, Dilawar argued that these threats could jeopardize the safety of citizens and the democratic electoral process.
Considering the resurgence of Covid-19 in the country, Dilawar asserted that the Senate, as the defender of federating units’ rights, is obligated to address constitutional guarantees and eliminate fears in vulnerable geographical territories.
The resolution contends that conducting elections without addressing legitimate concerns and ensuring the safety of politicians and citizens would violate fundamental rights.
Dilawar demanded the postponement of the election schedule to facilitate the effective participation of people from all areas of Pakistan, upholding constitutional rights to political participation.
He urged the Election Commission of Pakistan to promptly implement the postponement, engage with stakeholders, political parties, and communities, and oversee the revised poll schedule to ensure a conducive environment for free and fair elections.
