Elections without reforms harbinger of disaster for country: Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri

Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, the leader of Pakistan Awami Tehreek, has said that the Election Commission of Pakistan has lost its integrity, neutrality and power in the face of stiff resistance from the government and opposition. He said that it was merely a symbolic institution meant to put a seal of approval on ritual of elections which would result in throwing up the same corrupt lot of leaders who had been occupying the corridors of power for 65 years. He said that the ECP’s compromise on the changes proposed in nomination form, Articles 62, 63 and 218 of the Constitution would render it weaker in holding free, fair and transparent elections in the country.

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri asked the members to resign from their positions if they could not fulfill their responsibilities as per law. He said that the elections held under the watch of a toothless Election Commission would land the country into more troubles. He asked the Chief Election Commissioner to think of legacy he would leave due to his failure to preside over fair and free elections.

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri expressed these views while talking to Khurram Nawaz Gundapur, PAT’s Secretary General telephonically from Canada the other day. He said that it was surprising that the members of the ECP had just come to know that the institution was not truly autonomous and powerful. He said that raising a noise now when the elections were fast approaching was tantamount to defrauding the nation.

Dr Qadri asked the people to objectively analyse the situation currently obtaining in the country, adding that the elections held under the present ECP would be a step towards disaster as the country could ill-afford it politically as well as economically. He said that he would unveil important facts in his speech on March 17 and bring it to the notice of the nation. He said that the people would not allow the policies of deal-making to succeed under the umbrella of the so-called democracy.