The ruling PDM coalition on Monday criticised President Arif Alvi for his unilateral decision to announce a date for elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Earlier today, President Alvi announced that polling in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will take place on April 9. Following the president’s announcement, the ECP summoned a meeting tomorrow (Tuesday).
Responding to a question outside Parliament House, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif commented that President Alvi was "crossing his limits".
"The president is transgressing his authority," he said. Later, while addressing the Parliament, he asked, "What role does he [President Alvi] has in the provincial elections?"
The PML-N leader accused the president of working as a PTI member contrary to his designated role. He went on to add that many people were appointed to roles that they weren't fit for.
The House reserves the right to proceed with the matter as per the law and the Constitution, he added.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah warned the president that the move could "invite trouble", and urged him to work in conformity with the Constitution.
"Don't make presidency a hub of blackmailing. The president has nothing to do with the polling dates."
He further said that the president can't coerce the electoral authority to take illegal and unconstitutional steps.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman also reacted strongly, terming the move a clear case of "misconduct". He asked the ECP to take "strict action" against the move.
PPP leader Raza Rabbani issued a statement, listing all the occasions when Alvi had 'transgressed' his role.
The president's move came a day after the ECP recused itself from holding discussions with the president on the provincial assembly elections, saying the matter ‘was now being reviewed by the judiciary’.
The Commission had stated that it may not be able to engage in a process of consultation with the office of the president due to the “issue being subjudice at several judicial forums” and a number of other factors. The electoral authority had also criticised the president’s “selection of words” in the letter.
According to the letter from the ECP secretary, the authority was ‘fully aware of its legal and constitutional responsibilities’.
Earlier this week, President Alvi summoned the chief election commissioner for an “urgent meeting” on February 20 (today) to discuss the election’s date, berating him for the ECP’s “distressing approach.”
The meeting, which was scheduled to be held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, was due to discuss the Section 57(1) of Elections Act, 2017 which is about the president’s prerogative to announce the election date after consulting the ECP.
Earlier today, President Alvi announced that polling in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will take place on April 9. Following the president’s announcement, the ECP summoned a meeting tomorrow (Tuesday).
Responding to a question outside Parliament House, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif commented that President Alvi was "crossing his limits".
"The president is transgressing his authority," he said. Later, while addressing the Parliament, he asked, "What role does he [President Alvi] has in the provincial elections?"
The PML-N leader accused the president of working as a PTI member contrary to his designated role. He went on to add that many people were appointed to roles that they weren't fit for.
The House reserves the right to proceed with the matter as per the law and the Constitution, he added.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah warned the president that the move could "invite trouble", and urged him to work in conformity with the Constitution.
"Don't make presidency a hub of blackmailing. The president has nothing to do with the polling dates."
The president's move came a day after the ECP recused itself from holding discussions with the president on the provincial assembly elections, saying the matter ‘was now being reviewed by the judiciary’.
The Commission had stated that it may not be able to engage in a process of consultation with the office of the president due to the “issue being subjudice at several judicial forums” and a number of other factors. The electoral authority had also criticised the president’s “selection of words” in the letter.
According to the letter from the ECP secretary, the authority was ‘fully aware of its legal and constitutional responsibilities’.
He further said that the president can't coerce the electoral authority to take illegal and unconstitutional steps.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman also reacted strongly, terming the move a clear case of "misconduct". He asked the ECP to take "strict action" against the move.
PPP leader Raza Rabbani issued a statement, listing all the occasions when Alvi had 'transgressed' his role.
The president's move came a day after the ECP recused itself from holding discussions with the president on the provincial assembly elections, saying the matter ‘was now being reviewed by the judiciary’.
The Commission had stated that it may not be able to engage in a process of consultation with the office of the president due to the “issue being subjudice at several judicial forums” and a number of other factors. The electoral authority had also criticised the president’s “selection of words” in the letter.
According to the letter from the ECP secretary, the authority was ‘fully aware of its legal and constitutional responsibilities’.
Earlier this week, President Alvi summoned the chief election commissioner for an “urgent meeting” on February 20 (today) to discuss the election’s date, berating him for the ECP’s “distressing approach.”
The meeting, which was scheduled to be held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, was due to discuss the Section 57(1) of Elections Act, 2017 which is about the president’s prerogative to announce the election date after consulting the ECP.