Pakistani president sees 'no elections' in January

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) – Pakistani President Arif Alvi said that general elections in the South Asian country "seem difficult" to be held in January next year.

During an interview late Wednesday with a local news channel, Alvi called for free and fair elections.

“I don't believe the elections (will take place in the last week of January). I think that the supreme judiciary has taken notice of it and it will issue an apt order,” Alvi told the broadcaster.

President Alvi’s statement came despite the Election Commission of Pakistan last month announcing general elections in January next year without giving any exact date.

Alvi said “harsh weather” in the hilly areas of the country in January may be cited as a reason for delaying the polls.

He also called for transparent elections and a level playing field for all political parties.

Currently, a caretaker government led by acting Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar is ruling the country following the dissolution of the lower house, known as the National Assembly, on Aug. 9.

President Alvi dissolved the National Assembly on the advice of then Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, clearing the way for a national vote within 90 days as required by the Constitution.

However, the Council of Common Interests, a constitutional body made up of the prime minister and the chief ministers of all provinces, approved the controversial results of a new nationwide census ahead of the dissolution of parliament, making it almost certain that elections will not be held within the Constitutional period.

Following the Council of Common Interests decision, the ECP also needed at least four more months to notify new constituencies in the country in accordance with the latest census.