The political temperature is running high in the country, especially after the announcement of former prime minister Imran Khan about the dissolution of Punjab and KP assemblies and a new debate has been triggered in the country about the legal aspect of the issue.
The 12-parties alliance of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and its allies have become active and consultations are underway from both the sides.
What did Imran Khan say?
On November 26, former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said that his party would not remain part of the existing assemblies and its lawmakers would resign from all the assemblies.
We will not remain part of this corrupt political system. I have spoken to my party chief ministers and soon we will announce a [formal] decision in this regard, former premier said while addressing a mammoth gathering of party workers and supporters here at Rawalpindi Jalsa .
Elahi’s stance
Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Sunday hinted that the Punjab Assembly may not be dissolved in the next four months, saying that the present set-up in the province will remain intact till March 2023.
In an interview with a private TV channel, the chief minister said that nothing would be happening in the next four months. Talks were the best option at the time, adding that dissolution of the assembly depends on how the Centre behaves (with the province.)
He said that till March, talks should be held on reforms and Election Commission. The people “who matter” will make them sit and talk, adding that what we have committed we will do.
Govt will consider all ‘constitutional options’: Rana Sanaullah
Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah has said that the incumbent coalition government would respond according to the Constitution in case the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assemblies were dissolved before the completion of their constitutional tenure.
Addressing a press conference, the minister said that the government would review all options in line with the constitutional provisions, if the provincial assemblies were dissolved, which might delay in the conduct of elections or participation in elections of both assemblies. “We are not afraid of elections and will participate in them if these are conducted,” he added.
The minister said that the coalition parties would use all the available constitutional options to stop the dissolution of the Punjab and KP assemblies. He said that Imran Khan had failed in all his moves to destabilize the country so far and he would also fail in its new political move.
Zardari-Shujaat meeting
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, in a recent meeting with Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, asked him to not dissolve the assemblies, assuring of a new setup after consultations, said the sources on Wednesday.
The two leaders held a meeting on Sunday days after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan threatened to dissolve provincial assemblies in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to talk about a new political strategy.
Matters of “mutual interests”, the county’s overall situation, Punjab’s current political situation, fear of assembly dissolution and other matters were discussed in the meeting held in Islamabad.
How do provincial assemblies are dissolved in Pakistan?
