KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P) has joined hands with PML-N and JUI-F in support of fresh delimitations as the ECP’s declaration that it will begin a new delimitation process in response to the notification of the results of the most recent census appears to have set the erstwhile coalition allies on a collision course.
It should be noted that the PPP leadership in Punjab has urged PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and PML-N Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz not to back delay in elections as it would hurt their prospects of contesting the elections.
Following a meeting of its coordination committee on Saturday, MQM-P also committed to pursue all available options, including legal action, to achieve this demand. It said that for free and fair elections, a new delineation process was essential.
“The fresh delimitation is now a legal requirement after the new census results. It’s also crucial for free and fair elections. The MQM-P would take every possible constitutional and legal course to make it happen,” said the party spokesman in a brief statement.
The PPP claimed on Friday that it had only decided to approve the findings of the digital census at a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) after receiving guarantees that the action would not delay the election. This assertion was made following the PPP’s CEC meeting.
The party said the next central executive committee meeting of the party, to be held in Lahore in September, would announce a final strategy, hinting that the party may take a “legal course” for its principled stance if its final attempt to persuade the Election Commission of Pakistan on August 29 to meet the 90-day constitutional deadline remained unsuccessful.
However, it doesn’t appear that the PPP’s major allies in the recently disbanded coalition government support its new course of action. The PML-N has already requested the PPP to “refrain” from politicking constitutional issues in light of its firm position for the polls in 90 days while supporting the ECP’s call for new delimitation prior to the next general elections.
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