Imran Khan to Dissolve the Provincial Assemblies

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the dissolution of two provincial assemblies (Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) on Friday, December 23, 2022, in these two provinces, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) retained government. While speaking to the general public via video link from his residence Zaman Park Lahore, on Saturday, December 17, 2022, Imran Khan claimed it is clear from every poll and survey that throughout the country 70% of people want fresh elections. By dissolution of both assemblies, 66 percent of the constituencies will lose their representation and the country will automatically go to the next elections.

In his address, he said, “through different political tactics, rallies including the Azadi march (freedom march), PTI attempted to force the rulers to hold prompt elections. It is the constitutional responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold elections within 90 days in case of dissolution of the assemblies. The chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mr. Mehmood Khan and the Chief Minister of Punjab province Mr. Pervaiz Elahi were also present with Imran Khan when he was speaking to the general public.

Earlier he also met with the chief ministers of both Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces and after these meetings, Imran Khan claimed that “everyone has unanimously given him the authority to take the final decision to dissolve the assemblies. Both chief ministers have supported him and he will dissolve the provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa next Friday, after this, PTI will start preparation for the next general elections”. Imran Khan said that he is sacrificing two assemblies for the country, and when he will do that, 66 percent of Pakistan will go to the polls. However, he claimed that the ruling coalition is afraid of holding elections.

On this eve, Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi recognized that his government in Punjab province is all about Imran Khan and PTI, whenever he was asked, he would immediately dissolve the assembly.

During his speech, Imran Khan talked about the poor economic condition of the country and attributed it to ‘regime change’. He alleged that ex-army chief General Qamar Javid Bajwa overthrew the government as part of an external conspiracy. He said that the former army chief was responsible for this situation.

On the other hand, Imran Khan’s opponents are not ready to bow down to his demand. The ruling alliance: Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) repeated time and again that PTI’s demands will not be heeded until Imran Khan will not bring change in his behavior and manner of speaking. The current government has also made it clear that there will be no talks with Imran Khan and PTI with preconditions.

To take the government’s version, EAT News interviewed federal interior minister Mr. Rana Sana Ullah on the telephone, he said, Imran Khan is just threatening the government, if they want to dissolve the assemblies, why are they waiting for? they have to do this today, instead of Friday. He said, “I am convinced to hold elections immediately after the dissolution of the assemblies, but there are some other stances and voices in the ruling alliance”. He claimed that CM Punjab Parvaiz Elahi tried to stop Imran Khan from dissolving the assemblies but he could not convince him. “I do not think that CM Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi will dissolve the Punjab Assembly, the PDM government will continue to work according to the constitutional system and find a political solution to whatever situation is in front. While staying within the constitutional boundaries, we will postpone the next elections as long as possible” the interior minister added further.

According to Imran Khan, two provincial assemblies will be dissolved on December 23, 2022, in the hope that the PTI will force the government to hold general elections as early as possible, however, analysts believe that this announcement may have unexpected consequences.

EAT News talked to Lahore-based journalist and analyst Mr. Salman Ghani on this issue, he said, “It is the discretion of the chief ministers to dissolve the assembly, but earlier by resigning from the National Assembly, Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (PTI) also gave an open field to the government to enact legislation of its own choice”. Salman Ghani said that he sees this matter will go to the court of law because the constitution gives the power to the chief minister to dissolve the provincial assembly, but solid reasons have to be given. Probably, Islamabad and Rawalpindi are working on a compromise formula to bring both the government and the opposition to an intermediate time for the next elections, that’s why they have given a week, he added. In Pakistan, Islamabad metaphorically refers to parliament while Rawalpindi refers to the establishment.

EAT News asked the same question to the renowned journalist from the capital Ms. Aarifa Noor, she replied, “It is not easy to take such a blunt step, but Imran Khan had increased the pressure on himself so much that he had to make a decisive announcement”. In her opinion, Imran Khan’s relations with the establishment do not seem to be improving, however, ‘somewhere they are probably talking to the government and the establishment as back door diplomacy”, Ms. Noor added.

She said, “Imran Khan is dominant in his own party and PML-Q (the allied party in Punjab province). PML-Q knows that if they stay with Imran Khan then their position will be strengthened in the next elections, still, Imran Khan’s announcement may have unexpected consequences”.

The announcement of the suspension of two provincial assemblies (KP and Punjab) was made by Imran Khan during his long march in the previous month, but he did not mention the time and date when he is going to do this. Freedom long march by PTI was demanding early general elections in Pakistan which got public acceptance but on November 26 at the last moment, Imran Khan publicized that they (PTI’s long march) will not enter into the capital and announced the termination of provincial assemblies. Not only political experts but also his political opponents were stunned by this statement.

Earlier on the occasion of the ‘change of regime’ in Pakistan this year in March, PTI members of the National Assembly submitted their resignations, but their approval is still pending due to the completion of legal proceedings as acceptance of resignations has to be confirmed by each member personally going to the speaker national assembly.

The next general elections in Pakistan are scheduled for October 2023, but Imran Khan, who was removed from the Prime Minister’s office through a no-confidence motion, and his party PTI are adamant about the demand to hold elections earlier. Imran Khan said that there is no moral basis for the current government to remain in power in the country.

The political temperature of Pakistan is at its peak; political parties are holding consultative meetings on the situation developed after the annunciation of Imran Khan regarding the dissolution of two provincial assemblies. Political analysts believe the current uncertain situation is not in the favor of the country which could affect Pakistan irreversibly.