President Arif Alvi said he does not see polls being held in January as planned by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
However, he added that if elections were held where the public mandate was not respected, it would be like putting another chain on the feet of the nation.
President Arif Alvi said that it is important to give level playing field to all political players before the elections while reiterating that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan is ‘still’ his leader.
In an interview aired on Wednesday, President Arif Alvi asserted that he will remain in office until the election of a new president is completed. He emphasized the importance of completing all assemblies and the Senate before electing the next president.
He highlighted the issue of amendment in Section 57 of the Election Act [allowing election body to unilaterally announce the date for polls] which he refused to sign.
President Arif Alvi recalled that instead, then-acting President Sadiq Sanjrani signed the document while he was performing Hajj.
He said that he still abides by his tweet regarding the principal secretary who had allegedly given the president’s assent to the Official Secrets Act and the Pakistan Army Act without his permission.
He said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is searching for a narrative.
He also said that everyone is demanding a “level playing field” while stressing that it was important to put the country’s atmosphere into one that is liked by the masses.
He recalled that he condemned the May 9 events as president, but said that the path to move forward should also be open. “Through forgiveness, nations can progress,” he said.
