APD | New election is an internal matter of Pakistan

MR. RIAZ HUSSAIN PIRZADA is a Pakistani politician who has been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since August 2018. Previously, he was a member of the National Assembly between 1993 and May 2018 and was a member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab from 1985 to 1988.He served as Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination, in Abbasi cabinet from August 2017 to May 2018. A leader of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), Previously Pirzada served as Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Co-ordination from 2013 to 2017. He served as Federal Minister for Minorities, Minister for Health in 2011 and Minister for Professional and Technical Training from 2011 to 2012. He serves as Minister of Human Rights since 19 April 2022. Here are some of MR. RIAZ HUSSAIN PIRZADA's thoughts on the elections in Pakistan.

When asked about the struggle between the ruling and opposition parties in terms of the election in Pakistan, Mr. Riaz Pirzada, minister of Human Rights of Pakistan, holds the view that holding of early general elections are not the solution of all problems country facing at this time, either it’s economic or political or anything else. We’re in majority in the assembly and government function is going smoothly. General Election will be held on its due time which is next year 2023 as per constitution and law of the land. Although Imran Khan and its party PTI is struggling and trying to build pressure on the government – which is its political right – but till today PTI is unable to force the government to give a date of new election. On the other hand government is strong enough to complete its term and I’m confident that there is no sign of immediate elections in the country. We are trying to provide some relief to the masses especially the poor segment of society, if we can control the high prices of daily use items, people are with us.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has repeatedly called for early elections and organized demonstrations. Commenting on this, Federal Minister Mr. Riaz Pirzada said that we have seen that former Prime Minister Imran Khan long awaited long march and plan of a proposed ‘sit in’ in Rawalpindi or Islamabad has been badly failed. Imran Khan tried his best to mobilize and gather his supporters in the last eight months but could not get any thing in return. His all efforts to influence and pressurize the establishment both in case of appointment of new COAS and to get a date of fresh elections could not bring any fruit. Definitely it is a failure of his political wisdom.

He further commented that the current coalition government of PDM took charge according to the constitution of Pakistan and it was first time in the history of Pakistan that a no confidence motion was successful in the parliament and the new Prime Minister took oath after a constitutional changeover.

He stated that every step of Imran Khan is illegal and unconstitutional. It will have no significance impact on the present government and the government is determined to complete its tenure. The government is open to dialogue with Imran Khan and want to engage in a meaningful talk with the opposition to sort out the political, economic and other issues confronting country. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has repeatedly invited the opposition including Imran Khan to sit and have a dialogue and also on economy. As Imran Khan has announced to resign and dissolve the provincial assemblies of Punjab and KPK, we will try our best to not get it happen. There are certain options in front of federal government to tackle this issue. Firstly, we will try to manage to form our government in Punjab and KPK with the help of our allies. Some members of PTI are in contact with us and hopefully they will not resign. Secondly, we can hold by-elections on the seats vacated by the PTI. We will act according to the situation.

Mr. Riaz Pirzada while rejecting any involvement of the US said, “according to my information, as new election is an internal matter of Pakistan and on the other hand relations are getting better with the US in the current government I don’t think that they have much interest in the dates of elections. US has already shown its willingness and desire to work with the present government and our PM believes to keep a balance relationship with US along with other countries.