Following President Dr. Arif Alvi’s proposal to set November 6 as thedeadline for the upcoming general elections, the United States (US) hasissued a call to Pakistan, urging the nation to conduct elections that areboth timely and characterized by freedom and fairness, in accordance withrelevant laws.
State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller conveyed this message whileresponding to inquiries regarding President Arif Alvi’s recommendation thatelections should take place no later than November 6, marking the 89th daysince the dissolution of the National Assembly.
In his statement, Miller emphasized that, just as they do with countriesworldwide, the US encourages Pakistan to organize elections that are notonly free and fair but also adhere to a predetermined schedule. Heunderlined the importance of respecting human rights, upholding fundamentalfreedoms, and adhering to the rule of law during this electoral process.
Furthermore, the State Department spokesperson pressed Pakistaniauthorities to conduct the electoral proceedings in alignment withPakistan’s existing laws, emphasizing that this expectation aligns withtheir approach to countries globally.
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A day prior to this announcement, President Arif Alvi directed a letter toChief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, highlighting thecrucial cut-off date for the upcoming elections. President Alvi assertedhis authority, citing Article 48(5) of the Constitution, which grants himthe mandate to designate a date for the general election to the assembly,not later than 90 days from the dissolution of the assemblies.
This move set the stage for discussions and considerations regarding theelectoral timeline in Pakistan
