President Dr. Arif Alvi lands in hot waters
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The interim government and the Election Commission of Pakistan expressed strong dissatisfaction with President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday. This discontent stemmed from the president's support for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's concerns about a fair electoral process, which was perceived as casting suspicion on the elections.
Alvi faced criticism for forwarding PTI's concerns to the prime minister, with accusations of partiality. Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi emphasized the need for the president to embody the symbol of the federation rather than appearing as a party spokesperson.
Simultaneously, the Election Commission of Pakistan raised concerns about attempts to undermine the transparency of the upcoming election. Solangi praised the ECP's commitment to fairness and transparency in the electoral process. He urged President Alvi to allow constitutional institutions, particularly the ECP, to function without interference.
Solangi highlighted that the elections' date has been set, and all political parties are expected to engage within constitutional boundaries. He expressed hope that President Alvi would prioritize his role as the head of state over partisan affiliations for a transparent and fair democratic process.
The president, in a letter to the prime minister, emphasized the caretaker government's responsibility to ensure a level playing field for all political parties. However, both the government and ECP criticized Alvi for allegedly acting as a political party's mouthpiece.
