- It would be appropriate for the President to step down voluntarily: Dar
- ECP says time was saved in completing the delimitation process.
- The establishment facilitated PTI leaders in the past: PML-N leader.
Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former finance minister Senator Ishaq Dar has urged President Arif Alvi to resign from his post following the Chief Justice’s comments against him in the election delay case.
Speaking, the veteran PML-N leader said, “It would be appropriate for the President to step down voluntarily as his constitutional term has ended.” geo news Program ‘Jirga’ on Sunday.
Dar apparently cited Supreme Court Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s recent comment that President Alvi has violated the Constitution by not announcing the date of general elections.
The top judge made the remarks last week while hearing petitions seeking timely elections within 90 days of the dissolution of the assemblies.
“After the Supreme Court’s comments, it would be better if the President resigns voluntarily,” Dar said.
Speaking about the upcoming general elections to be held on February 8 next year, the former finance chief said there are fears that the elections may be further delayed till the end of February due to delimitation of constituencies.
However, he said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) saved time in carrying out the process of drawing new boundaries.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Senator Dar said that the establishment helped Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders in the past and demanded that a Truth and Reconciliation Commission should be formed to find out the facts.
“If PML-N comes to power I will demand formation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission [in the next polls]” he commented.
He further said that no party has done as much developmental work in the country as the PML-N and said that the 16-month PML-N-led coalition government was not enough to stabilize the economy.
Dar said, “It was a difficult decision for Nawaz Sharif whether he has to take the government for 16 months or not.” He said that if the coalition government does not come to power after removing the PTI-led regime, then Pakistan Would have missed. The Imran Khan-led government was ousted from power in April last year through a no-confidence motion.
He said the PDM government averted a Sri Lanka-like situation in Pakistan by saving the economy from default.
“Some international powers also wanted Pakistan to make a mistake,” Dar claimed.
In response to a question related to electoral alliance, Dar refused to form an alliance with any political party at the national level. However, he added that seat-to-seat adjustment is possible. “Seat adjustment is also possible with PPP.”
