PPP ‘changes’ stance on holding elections

ISLAMABAD: In a notable development, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) displayed a degree of flexibility in its stance on the timing of general elections.

The Dawn.com reported that while the party had consistently called for elections within a strict 90-day timeframe following the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) delimitation plan announcement, it now advocates for polls to be conducted “according to the Constitution” without specifying a particular deadline.

Earlier, senior PPP leaders, including Sherry Rehman, Nisar Khuhro, and Nayyar Bukhari, had strongly pressed for elections within 90 days, even hinting at potential legal action if the ECP failed to adhere to this constitutional deadline.

However, the recent shift in stance comes from the party’s top leadership as PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has emphasised during meetings with party leaders that the democratic process’s continuation is essential to address the country’s myriad challenges.

Read More: After meeting ECP officials, PPP again demands elections in 90 days

This marks the first instance in recent weeks where the PPP has highlighted adherence to the Constitution without explicitly mentioning the 90-day deadline.

Meanwhile, senator Khuhro, who had reiterated the 90-day demand on August 12, also appeared to align with this new party position, saying that his party consistently upheld the Constitution for a strong democratic system.

He noted that the Elections Act, 2017, does not supersede the Constitution, which clearly stipulates elections must occur within 90 days. Regarding the recent delimitation, Senator Khuhro remarked that it would likely have minimal practical impact since there is no prospect of increasing the number of seats in the national and provincial assemblies.

During these meetings, discussions included political and economic conditions, public concerns, and organisational matters. Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari affirmed the party’s readiness for elections and stressed active participation in the electoral process, including a full-bodied door-to-door campaign.

Additionally, the former Chief Minister briefed the PPP chairman about recent decisions by the caretaker government, expressing concerns about their adverse effects on welfare projects in Sindh. These concerns included the suspension of subsidies for public transport in light of inflation and the freezing of funds allocated for development projects and government hospitals in Sindh by the caretaker government.