The Election Commission of Pakistan has responded to President Arif Alvi's letter and expressed serious reservations over the words used in the epistle, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
According to sources, the ECP wrote back to the president on Saturday.
In its letter, the commission said that it is an autonomous and independent institution which abides by the law and constitution. It also respects and complies completely with the court orders, it added.
The ECP objected that it is not appropriate on the part of the President to write words like ‘indifference’ about the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Sources said that the ECP wrote that it was dismayed and disappointed for writing such words by the President.
It said that the commission is fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities in the best possible manner.
However, the ECP said that it has decided to participate in the meeting called by the President.
It said that the ECP members and senior officials would attend the meeting at the President House at 11am on Monday.
President Alvi wrote two letters to the Election Commission of Pakistan inviting it for consultations on polls for Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies.
The latest letter was written on Friday to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja in which the President invited him for an emergency meeting on February 20 at the President House regarding consultation on elections under Section 57(1).
“Under the Act, the President shall announce the date or dates of general elections after consultation with the election commission,” the letter read.
“There have been some important developments like the decision of the Lahore High Court (LHC) and the recent observations of the Supreme Court on this matter,” it added.
The President also expressed his displeasure on the indifference of the election commission, adding that the election commission had not yet responded to the first letter.
“I am anxiously waiting for the election commission to realise its constitutional duties and act accordingly,” he said.
He added that he was very disappointed with the pathetic behaviour of the election commission on an important issue.
“Realising my constitutional responsibility to protect and defend the Constitution, I invite the CEC for an emergency meeting in my office to consult on the election,” he stated.
Reporter Usman Khan