Alvi asks PM to ensure implementation of top court's order on Punjab, KP polls to 'avoid further complications'.

President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday asked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to direct federal and provincial authorities to assist the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in holding the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa elections in accordance with the orders of the Supreme Court to 'avoid further complications'.

The president made the request in a letter, which comes two days after the electoral watchdog, in a surprise move, put off the Punjab Assembly elections by more than five months to October 8, citing the 'deteriorating security situation' in the country. The move was widely condemned by the PTI, legal experts and members of civil society.

In the letter, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, the president mentioned the provincial polls as well as the 'use of disproportionate force' by authorities against politicians, political workers and journalists.

He said that the prime minister, as the head of the government, was responsible for safeguarding human rights as well as the fundamental rights of every citizen.

'It is further emphasised that all concerned executive authorities of federal and provincial governments should be directed to refrain from abuse of human rights and also to assist the ECP to hold general elections in provinces of Punjab and KP, within the timeframe in compliance of Supreme Court's order dated March 1 to avoid further complications, including contempt of court.'

On March 1, the apex court had ruled that elections for the Punjab and KP assemblies should be held within the stipulated period of 90 days. It had, however, allowed the ECP to propose a poll date that deviates from the 90-day deadline by the 'barest minimum', in case of any practical difficulty.

Alvi's letter said the ECP had approached the relevant Punjab and KP departments regarding holding elections but 'it appears federal and caretaker governments in Punjab and KP advised the heads of concerned departments to indicate their inability to provide necessary support for holding general elections.'

Citing Article 220 of the Constitution which states that executive authorities are dutybound to assist the ECP in discharging its functions, Alvi said that a 'flagrant violation of the Constitution' had been committed by executive authorities and government departments.

He said the ECP had not implemented his earlier announcement fixing April 30 as the date for polls in Punjab, and had 'blatantly violated' the apex court's March 1 order.

Citing Article 46 of the...