President rejects speculations about delay in elections.

ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi has said that there would be no delay in elections and he strongly believes that elections would be held on time. He added that timely elections would pave the way for improving the political and economic situation of the country. He also emphasized the need for upholding the Constitution of Pakistan as our history had proven that delay in elections had caused harm to democracy.

The President expressed these views while talking to a delegation of the Council of Pakistan Newspapers' Editors (CPNE), led by its President Kazam Khan, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Tuesday. Referring to his meeting with the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Haji Ghulam Ali, the President said that Governor KP was a democratic person and he had encouraged him to appoint a date for elections in accordance with the Constitution and the order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The President said that he had been playing his constitutional role and his decisions had also been affirmed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Talking to the delegation, the President said that he had been playing his role to reduce differences and promote reconciliation among the political parties. He stated that he was willing to meet any person or political party for the sake of the country. He remarked that he had also asked PTI leadership to negotiate with other political parties. He also mentioned that he had good working relations with the government.

While talking about the prevailing economic situation of the country, the President said that he was of the firm opinion that Pakistan would not default, adding that better and effective financial management could help overcome the economic difficulties faced by the country.

The President...