ISLAMABAD: Major political parties strongly objected to the Senate’s approval on Friday of a non-binding resolution calling for a postponement of the general elections, which were scheduled for February 8.
In the upper house of parliament, independent senator Dilawar Khan moved a resolution that was approved in the presence of 14 senators, the only parliamentarians present in the house of 100.
Senator Gurdeep Singh of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Behramand Tangi of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) did not cast ballots. The Senate chairman adjourned the meeting indefinitely after the vote.
The elections for the KP and Punjab assemblies, which were dissolved in January of last year, have not taken place for almost a year, and the polls for the national, Balochistan, and Sindh assemblies are already beyond their expiration dates.
A Supreme Court case was filed because of concerns about potential delays, and as a result, the highest court ordered President Arif Alvi and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to declare a date, which they did on February 8.
Nonetheless, a few political figures have expressed worries about both the weather and the security situation. They assert that they want their issues resolved and do not want a delay.
Additionally, extreme weather in hilly regions and the worsening security situation—particularly in KP and Balochistan, which have been targeted by terrorists—were also mentioned in the resolution that was voted today.
The caretaker administration, which is tasked with managing the nation’s affairs until the elections, was represented by Interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi, who was against the action.
Speaking on the house floor, Senator Dilawar claimed that because the majority of the nation was currently experiencing extreme cold, voter turnout in certain places was out of control.
The senator emphasized the state of law and order, claiming that attacks were launched against members of Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) and National Democratic Movement chairman Mohsin Dawar.
He said that in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, even security forces were targeted.
He said that in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, even security forces were targeted. He claimed that Aimal Wali, the leader of the Awami National Party (ANP), shared his concerns about elections.
The senator claimed that during election rallies, intelligence agencies also sent out threat signals.
He stated that the elections scheduled for February 8 should be postponed since the Senate has stated that polls should not be held without resolving obstacles. He also suggested that the ECP start the process of delaying the elections.
