New York: Concerned Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar has said that general elections will be held next year, and it is possible to have fair elections without Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and his leaders in jail, according to an interview given to the American news agency AP.
In the interview, Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar stated that the thousands of PTI workers who were not involved in illegal activities will engage in political activities and participate in the elections.Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar’s statement comes at a time when the Election Commission of Pakistan had announced a few days ago that elections would be held in the country in January next year, after which major political parties in the country have started preparations for the elections.
He said that it is absurd to think that the military will manipulate the election results to prevent the success of former Prime Minister’s party in the elections.
He also said that the elections will be conducted by the Election Commission of Pakistan, and it was Imran Khan himself who appointed the current Chief Election Commissioner, so why should he be against him?
He stated that when the Election Commission announces the final date of the elections, our government will provide all kinds of financial, security, and other assistance for the elections.When asked if they would recommend allowing Imran Khan to participate in the elections and declaring his punishment as null and void, Concerned Prime Minister replied that he would not interfere in the decisions of the judiciary, and the judiciary should not be used as a tool for any political agenda.
He said that we are not pursuing personal vendettas, but we will ensure that the law is upheld. Regardless of whether it’s Imran Khan or any other politician, anyone who violates the country’s laws through their political actions will be held accountable. We cannot equate this with political victimization.
Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar said that fair elections can take place without Imran Khan or the hundreds of PTI workers who have been imprisoned due to their involvement in various illegal activities, including violence and arson.
He emphasized that thousands of people associated with Imran Khan’s party who were not involved in illegal activities will engage in political activities and participate in the elections.
Regarding allegations against PTI concerning threats to democracy and real military rule in Pakistan, Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar said that these claims are part of our political culture, and he does not pay attention to them.
He said that our government is working very well with the military, and we are facing challenges in civil-military relations, which I do not deny, but there are various reasons for the imbalance.
Concerned Prime Minister said that the solution is to gradually improve the functioning of civilian institutions instead of weakening the current military institutions because that will not solve our problems.
On the other hand, in a statement issued by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, it has been said that any election held without Imran Khan will be unconstitutional, illegal, and unethical.
They said that Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar’s statement reflects insensitivity towards the constitutional and democratic norms of the state.They demanded that Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar clarify his statement immediately and, as a Concerned Prime Minister, completely disassociate his government from divisive schemes.
(Dawn News)