Islamabad : Jan 5, 2024 The resolution passed by the Senate of Pakistan which in parliamentary terms is called as “Upper House” has added to the speculations about February 8. 2024 elections. The Senate resolution passed by the upper house on January 5 calls for deferment of the elections scheduled for February 8 over security situation the country.
The speculations on in time general elections are already clouding the environment and despite clear ruling of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) that the elections of February 8 are like a line drawn on the stone the political parties are not going into next gears to organize countrywide rallies and processions to woo the voters .
In the given scenario , the resolution passed by the Senate of Pakistan is enough to strengthen the speculations that some subtle hands are interested in delaying the elections.
In legal terms , the resolutions passed by the upper house is just a resolution and its not binding on the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to entertain it, but Kanwar Dilshad, a former secretary ECP gives arguments otherwise.
He noted in his comments on the issue that the resolution of the Senate was of significance and ECP can not overrule it. Kanwar Dilshad’s remarks on the issue should not be ignored as his assertions on the elections usually become true irrespective of their legal status.
The resolution moved by Senator Dilawar Khan has put forward many questions . First , why Dilawar Khan moved the resolution to delay the general elections 2024 when ECP has gone half way for their arrangements and thousands of candidates have filed their nomination papers.
Second, Did Dilawar Khan made the move in Senate on the direction of JUI-F chief, Maulana Fazal ur Rehman, who is from the very beginning of the electoral process demanding delay in the elections on security grounds.
The public at large is taking Maulana Fazal ur Rehman’s demand in negative sense. A vast majority of the voters believes that some elements in and outside the political field are making unseen moves to get delay in holding the general elections 2024.
Whatever reason may be, the resolution passed by the Senate will not get some good reaction from the political parties which are already in the run for 2024 elections.
Later , JUI -F distanced itself from Delawar Khan’s resolution . Its spokesman in his reaction on the issue said senator Dilawar Khan’s argument should be considered that of JUI-F.
Pakistan People Party (PPP) issued a show cause notice to senator Baharamand Tungi for favouring the controversial resolution in the Senate. It directed its member to show the reasons for not opposing the controversial resolution in the Upper House. PMLN’s senator Afnan Mushahid was the only sane voice in the Senate to oppose the resolution.
Meanwhile , ECP has rejected the Senate resolution and announced that the elections will be held as per original schedule on February 8, 2024.