Senators pass resolution, call for postponing general elections

The Senate adopted a resolution with majority vote on Friday calling for postponing general elections slated to be held in the country next month due to security concerns, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The resolution stated that the elections scheduled to be held on February 8 should be deferred indefinitely.

The resolution cited attacks on leaders of political parties and threat alerts against politicians for putting off the polls.

The resolution also urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to suspend the schedule for elections as intelligence agencies had issued a security alert for poll rallies.

Independent Senator Dilawar Khan moved the resolution while the caretaker government, Senator Afnanullah Khan of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PTI Senator Gurdeep Singh opposed the resolution.

Interestingly, only 14 senators were present in the Upper House of the Parliament when the resolution was tabled and put to vote.

While reading the resolution aloud in the House, Dilawal Khan said the Constitution provided the right of vote to every citizen of Pakistan and the Election Commission of Pakistan was bound to conduct free and fair polls in contingent upon inclusivity and ensuring the participation of all regional people. “The election turnout in colder areas remains notably high during the moderate weather conditions. January and February are recognised as the coldest months in the majority of the areas in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he put up another reason.

The senator noted that various political parties had expressed their reservations regarding difficulties in ensuring participation in cold areas during the electoral process. He expressed “great concern” on the recent attempts on the lives of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, former lawmaker Mohsin Dawar, and other politicians.

Dilawar said “The Ministry of Interior has conveyed serious threats to the lives of prominent politicians increasing the challenges faced by political parties in exercising their right to a free and fair elections.”

The lawmaker further highlighted that there had been a spike in attacks on security forces and citizens, particularly in KP and Balochistan. “The intelligence agencies have warned of militant attacks threats on election rallies in both provinces,” he further said.

“The Senate says that elections should not be held without removing the hurdles, therefore, the February 8 elections should be postponed,” Dilawar said, adding that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should begin the process of postponing the polls.

Caretaker Federal Information Minister Murtaza Solangi who was present in the house opposed the resolution.

The resolution was opposed by Senator Afnanullah Khan of Pakistan Muslim League—Nawaz (PML-N).

Govt hasn’t enhanced prices of medicines

In other business, the Senate with Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani in the chair earlier in the day offered fateha for the departed soul of former Senator Sartaj Aziz, who passed away the other day as well as those who were martyred in recent acts of terrorism.

Later, the Senate was informed that the caretaker government has not enhanced the prices of medicines.

Minister for National Health Services Dr Nadeem Jan told the House during Question Hour that they have held talks with the pharma industry in order to prevent increase in prices of medicines. He said the government has launched a portal and mobile telephone service where people can lodge their complaints regarding the pricing, shortage and quality of medicines. He said the government is also carrying out market surveys in this regard. 

Dr Nadeem Jan said the Federal government is working in coordination with the provinces to deal with the issue of spurious drugs. He said the public sector hospitals face liabilities of twelve billion rupees. However, the government is trying to ensure the availability of essential lifesaving drugs at the hospitals.

He told the House Pakistan is hosting a global health security summit this month with the aim to collaborate with global leaders in order to ensure equity-based pandemic preparedness.

He said the initiative of establishing Pharma Park has been taken to uplift the pharmaceutical industry.

Responding to a supplementary question, the Minister for National Health Services said no case of new Covid Variant JN.1, has been reported in Pakistan. He said we are on high alert and vaccination against Covid is also continuing.

Taking the floor, Leader of the House Ishaq Dar pointed out that health and education are devolved subjects and greater responsibility lies with the provinces to enhance their spending on them.

The Senate was informed today that sufficient quantity of Urea is available in the country to meet the requirements of the farmers.

Responding to a Calling Attention Notice in the House, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi said an artificial shortage of the commodity was created by the profiteers and hoarders due to reduction in the buffer stock. 

He said in the backdrop of this situation, the Federal and Provincial governments as well as the fertilizer industry have been keeping an eye on the availability and price of Urea. 

He said the supply of Urea to the provinces has been enhanced and the provincial governments are taking action against the hoarding.

He said the Punjab government registered 950 FIRs and imposed fines to the tune of 104 million rupees on hoarders.

The Minister informed that the Sindh government has also taken necessary measures and imposed fines of four million rupees. He said the situation vis-à-vis the availability and price of Urea has improved as a result of these steps.

He said the price of Urea bag has come down to about 4450 rupees from over five thousand rupees.

The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs said two cargoes carrying ninety-five thousand tons of imported Urea have reached Pakistan. He expressed the confidence that this will further bring down the price of the commodity in the coming days.

Reporter Usman Khan