Delay in the offing?
WHAT began with conjecture and innuendo now appears to be taking shape. The ground is being prepared for delaying the general elections to the recently dissolved Punjab and KP provincial assemblies.
As per Article 224 of the Constitution, if the National Assembly or a provincial assembly is dissolved, a general election to that legislature must be held within 90 days of its dissolution. On Jan 24, citing the relevant constitutional requirement, the ECP wrote to the Punjab and KP governors proposing April 9 to 13 for elections to the Punjab Assembly and April 15 to 17 for the KP Assembly.
Both governors, however, have declined to give dates for the provincial assembly elections. KP Governor Haji Ghulam Ali, one day after the suicide bombing in Peshawar that killed at least 100 people and injured more than 225, wrote to the ECP advising it, in view of the “alarming law and order situation”, to consult the relevant institutions, including political parties, before fixing a date for the polls.
He reminded the ECP of its duty to ensure that elections were conducted in a fair, free and peaceful manner. Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman in his missive to the ECP has voiced similar caveats, adding the “economic situation” to the reasons why the electoral oversight body should consult “relevant stakeholders” before it announces a date for the polls.
As there seems to be no constitutional provision for delaying the polls to the two assemblies, the governors’ letters to the ECP suggest that the PDM government is considering whether the emergency provisions in the Constitution could afford some room for postponing the exercise.
Suffice it to say, that would require a leap of the imagination as preposterous as that which underpinned the ‘doctrine of necessity’, responsible for many a historical wrong for which we are still paying the price. The political instability in the country is certainly a matter of deep concern. But stability cannot be achieved by extra-constitutional actions or by expediently interpreting constitutional provisions.
There has been enough of the latter in the past few months alone in the tussle for power between the PTI and the other parties. Instead of drifting in uncharted waters, the country must move towards the predictability that the rule of law brings with it.
The cost of holding elections to two provincial assemblies several months before the terms of the Sindh and Balochistan assemblies and the National Assembly expire, is certainly a valid consideration, especially in these straitened times.
It would also lead to the anomalous prospect of two incumbent provincial governments overseeing, within their jurisdictions, general elections to the Lower House when they become due later this year. To address this, there is only one viable solution — early elections across the country.
Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2023
Divisions in PML-N
DISCORD and drama in PML-N ranks escalated this week when Shahid Khaqan Abbasi revealed he no longer holds a party position. While Mr Abbasi publicly maintains he is stepping away from the role to give Maryam Nawaz space as the party’s newly appointed chief organiser, it appears there is more than meets the eye. These fissures have not appeared out of nowhere.
Mr Abbasi is a party stalwart who for years had commanded the respect of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. When the PTI came to power, as senior vice president, Mr Abbasi was one of the key PML-N figures defending the party at several forums as it faced the government’s wrath. He himself faced cases and spent time in jail. Given his role and close association with the senior-most leadership, it was jarring that, when the PDM came to power and Shehbaz Sharif became PM, Mr Abbasi did not take a cabinet position or portfolio. It also became obvious that Mr Abbasi, who is close to former finance minister Miftah Ismail, was annoyed over the way his colleague was undermined and unceremoniously replaced by Ishaq Dar. Now, Ms Nawaz’s elevation, undertaken without consulting other party members, has thrust these mixed feelings into the spotlight. It is clear that the Sharif family’s penchant for appointing family members to key positions is unsettling to some in the party. At a time when politics in Punjab has changed and the PTI has captured the urban middle class’s imagination with its anti-dynastic, anti-corruption narrative, some find it difficult to justify the ongoing nepotism. Even Ms Nawaz may be feeling the heat: during her address in Bahawalnagar, she felt the need to justify such politics. Where does this leave people like Mr Abbasi? Many speculate that his resignation from his position means he will exit the PML-N altogether, and perhaps launch something of his own, though he has denied such rumours. Still, his participation and vocal opinions on the Reimagining Pakistan platform have caused many to wonder if he is testing the waters. As this unfolds, the PML-N leadership must confront the serious questions of leadership and the future of the party that have long haunted it. For a party that has consistently avoided facing harsh truths when it comes to its everlasting internal power politics, Mr Abbasi’s bowing out has further muddied the waters.
Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2023
Wikipedia ‘downgrade’
ATTEMPTS to police the internet by states, often by giving opaque justifications for the action, are never a good idea. It should be recalled that this nation was deprived of YouTube in 2012 for three years after a crude anti-Islam film was uploaded on the platform. The video-sharing giant has also been blocked briefly more recently to prevent livestreaming of PTI rallies. However, the latest global portal to fall foul of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority is Wikipedia, the free, editable online encyclopaedia often used as a starting point by millions across the world for basic information. The PTA has slowed down access to the site in Pakistan apparently because it failed to “block/remove sacrilegious content”. The regulator says Wikipedia has neither responded to its requests, nor taken down the content in question. Furthermore, it has threatened to block Wikipedia across Pakistan in case of non-compliance.
The fact is that the internet is a very difficult place to police, while questions about citizens’ rights to information also arise if states start blocking entire web portals or apps. Unfortunately, some platforms are used to upload content that breaks local laws or is designed to inflame passions. The best course may be to ignore such random provocations, instead of giving them more prominence. However, if there is serious incitement to hatred or violence, action can be taken by working with the platforms to single out such content and isolate it. Shutting down entire portals should be avoided. The state needs to reconsider its threat to ban Wikipedia. Pakistan has much bigger things on its plate to worry about than a few provocative articles on Wikipedia. Moreover, blocking sites does not do much to encourage the growth of the digital economy in the country. Fair questions also arise about the arbitrariness of such decisions. Under the guise of blocking ‘offensive’ content, the state can easily silence critics, while preventing free access to information.
Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2023