Alvi calls off efforts to defuse Imran tensions
FAILS TO CONVINCE PM SHARIF ON EARLY ELECTION DATE
President Dr Arif Alvi while admitting his failure to bring the government and the former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s political party the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to the negotiation table has called off the initiative saying he failed to convince the stakeholders to a mutually agreed date for an early election.
President Alvi, while talking to journalists at the Punjab Governor House said he tried to find out a way for early elections via negotiations between the coalition government and the PTI but all his efforts failed.
A press release later issued by the President House said the president was making these efforts in his personal capacity to bring stakeholders together at one table and resolve their differences to reduce political polarisation in the greater national interest.
President says in contact with stakeholders
Commenting on the ongoing political situation in the country, the president said that he was in contact with the institutions which could play an effective role in resolving the matter.
The president further said he wanted to keep the federation united and for this tried to persuade stakeholders to use democratic means of discussion, consultation and deliberation in order to find “mutually agreed upon solutions to major issues.”
To a question, the president said though he did not succeed in his efforts but it is a fact they had made some impact towards reducing distance from extreme positions to some extent.
Alvi said the country needed “strong and effective institutions” and that every endeavour should be made for strengthening and enabling them to perform respective functions in accordance with the constitution of Pakistan.
The president’s efforts are made in the backdrop of the long march by the PTI which is on way to Islamabad via Grand Trunk Road.
Petty differences
The government and the institutions should focus on a greater vision and mission and should avoid getting embroiled in petty differences and issues of narrow scope.
The president’s efforts are made in the backdrop of the long march by the PTI which is on way to Islamabad via Grand Trunk Road. Khan has made it clear that his march would continue unless the Shehbazgovernment announces date for general elections in the country.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has outrightly rejected the demand and reiterated on a number of occasions that elections will be held on time i.e. October 2023.