Appointment And Removal Of CEC.

The rule of law is considered a pivotal ingredient of peace, tranquillity and progress of society and the state. This comes through strict compliance with the constitution and the laws enacted by the parliament. Any deviation from the constitution and law leads to chaos and crisis inimical to national interests. One of the reasons why Pakistan has always remained crisis-ridden and politically unstable is the disrespect shown to the constitution and law by the ruling classes and the politicians who have always found it convenient to place their narrow political agendas above national interests. Unfortunately, there seems no hope of course correction as is evident from the present political confrontation between PTI and the PDM government. Although the PDM parties cannot be absolved of their share in the current crisis my considered view is that PTI, particularly Imran Khan shares the major blame for this imbroglio.

When he was in power, he took the political rivalry to the level of enmity and in disregard to the democratic norms failed to establish a working relationship with the opposition which is an indispensable imperative in running a democratic polity. He ruled through the promulgation of ordinances and showed an irresistible propensity to keep the opposition out of the loop on issues of national importance. The process of accountability that he took pride in, was a sham. But it is regrettable to note that Imran Khan instead of fighting his case constitutionally has relied on concocting false narratives and building a case for political agitation against them. He does not seem to care for any moral values and the constitution. He is responsible for the introduction of elements of violence in politics and spares no chance to incite the youth to violence. The campaign to malign, ridicule and degrade the Election Commission, particularly the flak directed at the person of the Chief Election Commissioner cannot be condoned.

For quite some time ECP has been targeted by PTI and the Chief Election Commissioner accused of connivance with PDM, a narrative whose falsehood has been adequately exposed and nullified by the results of by-elections in Punjab. The reason for targeting the Chief Election Commissioner was known to everybody. Imran knew in the heart of his heart the wrong committed by his party in collecting prohibited funds and anticipated a decision against his party. Therefore he chose to put pressure on the CEC either to get a...