Pakistani lawmaker submits ‘counter resolution’ in Senate for timely polls, challenging previous delay proposal

In this file photo, taken on August 9, 2023, commuters drive past the Parliament House building in Islamabad. (AFP/File)

• Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan condemns the resolution demanding delayed elections, calls it against Pakistan’s constitution
• The JI lawmaker accuses the country’s caretaker setup and ‘undemocratic forces’ of trying to escape the general elections

ISLAMABAD: A lawmaker belonging to Pakistan’s rightwing Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) party submitted a resolution in the Senate on Saturday, seeking the upcoming general elections to be held as per schedule on Feb. 8 along with equal opportunities for all political factions.
Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan’s decision to move the resolution came only a day after the Senate approved a non-binding proposal by an independent member to delay the national polls due to cold weather that brings life to a standstill in most parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
The elections in Pakistan were originally supposed to be held in November, 90 days after the National Assembly was dissolved last August, but they were delayed due to fresh demarcation of constituencies on the basis of the latest digital census in the country.
The Senate resolution demanding delayed elections was upheld during a session that was only attended by 14 lawmakers.
“The resolution passed surreptitiously in the Senate is an attack on democracy and elections,” the JI senator wrote in a social media post while sharing the content of his resolution. “It has demeaned the Senate and tarnished its reputation. This resolution is unconstitutional. The Senate of Pakistan cannot pass a resolution that is against the constitution.”
Khan said holding timely elections was a constitutional requirement and the responsibility of the caretaker government and the election commission.
“The Supreme Court of Pakistan has already given its decision on this matter,” he added. “The postponement of elections scheduled for February 8, citing law and order or weather conditions, is unconstitutional.”
He said that he condemned the first resolution and had brought a “counter resolution in the Senate.”
“The caretaker government and undemocratic forces are fleeing from the elections,” the JI senator said. “Any delay in elections will solely benefit undemocratic forces and will have dangerous implications for the country’s politics, democracy, constitution, unity and integrity.”
The text of his resolution pointed out the election commission had already proclaimed the date for the polls.
“Free and fair polls must be held on February 8, 2024, under all circumstances in accordance with the election commission’s announcement,” it said. “All political parties should get a level playing field, and the resolution adopted by the honorable Senate on 05-01-2024 regarding the election delay should be considered void.”