ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Thursday said the premature dissolution of any provincial assembly or assemblies would not affect the Senate election, which would be held on time as per the constitution.
“In case, any provincial assembly is dissolved before the Senate elections, the senators would be elected on the basis of seats in the National Assembly and the remaining provincial assemblies. The constitution is very much clear on it,” he said in an interview with a private television channel.
In response to a question, the prime minister said there could be an aspect of conspiracy in such things and talks. However, if any chief minister opted for a premature dissolution of a provincial assembly, he would compromise his politics, he added.
About the gathering of main opposition parties leaders along with Dr Tahir ul Qadri in Lahore on Wednesday, Abbasi said it was for them (Asif Zardari and Imran Khan) to think and decide as to why they were joining hands with a non-entity (Tahir ul Qadri).
To another question, the prime minister said, “I don’t know why they are in a hurry when only four months are left in the election.” He categorically stated that the government would complete its term and the general election would be held in July next. He said even if he dissolves the National Assembly right now, there was no chance for early election before the completion of ongoing process of delimitation of constituencies in accordance with the new census. He advised the opposition parties to wait for the next general election; focus on election politics; and do not become part of any efforts to create instability in the country.
To another question, the prime minister said Imran Khan was used to taking turns on daily basis. To a query, he clarified his remarks about the July 28 Supreme Court verdict and said he had stated that the decision was neither accepted by the masses nor it would be recorded in the history. He also referred to the execution of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and said that decision of the superior court was not accepted by the masses as well as history.
Regarding former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s views about institutions, Abbasi said he (Nawaz Sharif) was a senior politician and thrice-elected prime minister and his views were ‘a statement of facts’.
Published in Daily Times, January 19th 2018.
