ISLAMABAD : Despite an apparent setback through Tuesday’s decision in article 63 (A) case, the ruling alliance led by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN ) , has decided not to bug down to any political pressure and hold general elections in the country in August 2023.
The ruling alliance of 11 political parties took the decision to complete remaining constitutional term of the current assemblies and share burden of the possible tough decisions collectively.
The decision of carry on the function of the coalition government was taken at a meeting held in Islamabad and chaired by prime minister , Shahbaz Sharif. Top leadership of coalition partners including Pakistan People Party (PPP) supremo , Asif Ali Zardari, Jamiat e Ulema Islam Fazal (JUI-F) , Maulana Fazal ur Rehman , Mutehida Qaumi Movement (MQM ) top leader , Kahlid Maqbool attended the meeting. The meeting in question had two -point agenda I e either the ruling alliance government should leave the key but unpopular decisions for the caretaker government like withdrawal of subsidy on power and petroleum products to cease free fall of the rupee versus dollar and dissolve assemblies to call mid term elections in the country or stay a put to withstand mounting political pressure of the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) and hold general elections after completion of the constitutional term of the existing assemblies. The coalition government has opted for the second choice to withstand PTI pressure and hold general elections in the country in 2023. The government decision of not bugging down to PTI demand of mid term elections in the country has a clear indication that the coalition government led by Shahbaz Sharif is not under pressure from PTI public rallies and it will deal with it on the ground in coming days and weeks . It also established that the government is serious in doing fireworks to steer the country out of prevailing economic mess.
PMLN, which is a lead partner of the ruling alliance, had denied to take all alone onus of Imran Khan government’s failure on economic front and put two options before its partners. It wanted that the partners in the government should share possible fall out of tough decisions like withdrawal of subsidy on power and petroleum products or in other case it will prefer to dissolve the assemblies and go for mid term elections.
In a crisis like situation , the ruling alliance suffered a serious setback when the apex court issued its verdict in the presidential reference seeking interpretation of article 63( A) of the constitution. The decision in question will have direct and indirect effect on the government of Shahbaz Sharif and PTI can use it for political advantage .
