PM Shehbaz's Sharp Rebuke to President Alvi.

ISLAMABAD -- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has termed the contents of the letter written by President Dr. Arif Alvi as of partisan in nature, one-sided and based upon anti-government views' which were openly espoused by the latter notwithstanding the constituAtional oath/office of the president.

The PM after after consulting his party and ruling coalition leaders reAsponded to the president's letter yesAterday expressing extreme disapApointment and rejected his assertions. The president on March 24 had writAten a letter to the prime minister urgAing him to ensure the implementation of the Supreme Court's orders in relaAtion to the general elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

The move came after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had postponed the upcoming elections in Punjab - initially scheduled to be held on April 30 - citing securiAty reasons as the major cause behind the change in plans.

The prime minister, in response to the president's letter, said that he was constrained to express his disAappointment at the blatant partisan nature of the letter, 'which in parts reads like a Press Release of the OpAposition political party i.e. the PakiAstan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

'Mr. President, the Constitution does not vest any powers in or asA signs any functions to the PresiAdent whereby the President can seek explanation from the GovAernment or the Prime Minister. The only reason I am responding to your letter is because I want to bring your partisan attitude and actions on record and to set the reAcord of our Government straight,' the contents of the letter shared by the PM Office Media Wing quoted the prime minister as saying. The prime minister stressed that he was fully aware of his duties and the duties of the federal governAment under the Constitution and the government was fully comAmitted to preserve, protect and defend the constitution and enAsure that the fundamental rights guaranteed to the citizens of PaAkistan were not violated.

'However, our government is also determined to ensure that no one is allowed to violate the law, create unrest and attempts to cause irreparable harm to the state of Pakistan. I want to furAther assure you that our governAment will thwart any efforts to undermine the constitutionally elected government,' he added.

Further responding to the refAerence made in the president's letter of Article 46 of the ConAstitution and Rule 15 (5) of the Rules of Business, 1973 regardAing holding of...

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