Daily Times

President Dr Arif Alvi Monday called on the parties across the spectrum to sit together and resolve issues related to economy and elections in a bid to end political polarization. The president, in an interview with a private television channel, said dialogue was necessary for settling political issues between the government and the opposition, and the parliament was a suitable place for negotiations, but the same could also be held outside. He said in the first phase, dialogue could be started among the second tier leadership of the political parties to remove misunderstandings and bring unity among the public. The people were concerned about the political polarization and one of its causes were different political parties at the helm of affairs at the Centre and in the provinces, he viewed. He said the country was facing multiple issues, including inflation and debt burden. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan would have to decide about sitting with the government on the issues of economy and election, he added. To a question, Dr Alvi said Article 6 could only be applied on those who either abrogated the Constitution or held it in abeyance with the use of force. He said he had been criticizing the successive governments over the issues of press freedom and weakening economy, and his criticism was not limited to the present coalition government. To a query, President Alvi said the army was not playing any role in the political matters. But the army should play its constitutional role such as it was performing during the natural disasters and recent floods, besides advising the government on foreign affairs, he said in response to another question.

He, however, observed that being the biggest stakeholders of the country, the politicians should play their role as they were connected to the people. The president viewed that a broader consultation should be held on the new army chief’s appointment. The government should consult PTI chief Imran Khan on the matter, he added. He said there was a possibility of early elections. Both the Pakistan Democratic Movement and the PTI wanted early polls in the past. Even the Supreme Court had considered the issue of early elections and consulted the politicians.

“I am trying to evolve an understanding on these issues and I will facilitate the process. The most important issue is the holding of free and fair elections.” The president said for the last 12 years he had been advocating for the use of electronic voting machines in the elections and as it was the only way to stop rigging on the polling day. No elections since 1970 had been considered free and fair, he remarked.