'A PTI press release' In strongly worded reply to president, PM Shehbaz calls out Alvi's 'partisan attitude'.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday responded to President Dr Arif Alvi's letter - which was sent to the premier two days ago - in a bid to 'set the record of the government straight' and bring the latter's 'partisan attitude' on record.

On Friday, the president asked the PM 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'.

In his letter, Alvi also mentioned the 'use of disproportionate force' by authorities against politicians, political workers, and journalists.

In a five-page strongly worded reply today, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, PM Shehbaz stated that Alvi's letter was 'blatantly partisan' and in parts read like 'a press release of the opposition political party Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) whose one-sided, anti-government views you continue to openly espouse, notwithstanding your constitutional oath/office of President'.

The premier highlighted several occasions where, according to him, the president violated his oath including the order of the dissolution of the National Assembly on April 3 and failure to discharge his constitutional duty upon PM Shehbaz's election as the prime minister.

'Despite the foregoing and several other instances, where you actively worked towards undermining a constitutionally elected government, I have made all-out efforts to maintain a good working relationship with you. However, the contents of your letter, its tone, and language have compelled me to respond to it,' the letter said.

PM Shehbaz said that the due process under articles 4 (Right of individuals to be dealt with in accordance with law, etc) and 10A (Right to a fair trial) of the Constitution was being afforded to everyone.

All the actions taken by the law enforcement agencies, he added, were being taken in accordance with the law.

'Regrettably and ostensibly due to your party allegiance, you have failed to note the sheer isolation of laws, contumacious disregard of court orders, attacking the law enforcement agencies, damaging public property, attempts to create chaos, civil and political unrest, and in short, to bring the country to the brink of economic default and civil war by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-lnsaf (PTI).

'Mr President, what has really 'tarnished the image of Pakistan in the international community and is casting negative...