Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has reminded President Dr Arif Alvi that his letter on the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was "blatantly political in nature" and supported the "one-sided and anti-government" views of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
In a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz on Friday, the president pleaded with him to see that the Supreme Court's directives for the general elections in both provinces were carried out.
The action was taken in response to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) delaying the impending polls in Punjab, which were originally scheduled to take place on April 30. The ECP cited security concerns as the primary reason for the change in schedule.
In his letter, President Alvi stressed that in order to avoid further issues, such as contempt of court, all relevant executive authorities of the federal and provincial governments should be directed to refrain from violating human rights and to work with the ECP to hold general elections in the two provinces as soon as possible and in accordance with the Supreme Court’s order.
However, PM Shehbaz said in his letter that the president's communication with him was partial and contained anti-government sentiments.
The prime minister said that the president's constitutional responsibilities were not reflected in the letter, which was an open expression of opposition to the administration.
He criticized President Alvi, claiming that he dissolved the National Assembly in accordance with unlawful directives from former prime minister Imran Khan, which the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional on April 7.
He stated that, in accordance with Article 91, clause 5, President Alvi had a responsibility to administer the oath to him as prime minister.
"Despite the aforementioned and other times where you deliberately worked to undermine a legally elected government, I have made every effort to keep in contact with you and work well with you. Nonetheless, I feel forced to respond given the letter's content, tone, and language," he added.
PM Shehbaz also criticized President Alvi for keeping silent on the absence of ousted prime minister Imran Khan from court appearances.
He said, "I want to further reassure you that our government will foil any attempts to destabilize the duly elected government.
In a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz on Friday, the president pleaded with him to see that the Supreme Court's directives for the general elections in both provinces were carried out.
The action was taken in response to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) delaying the impending polls in Punjab, which were originally scheduled to take place on April 30. The ECP cited security concerns as the primary reason for the change in schedule.
In his letter, President Alvi stressed that in order to avoid further issues, such as contempt of court, all relevant executive authorities of the federal and provincial governments should be directed to refrain from violating human rights and to work with the ECP to hold general elections in the two provinces as soon as possible and in accordance with the Supreme Court’s order.
However, PM Shehbaz said in his letter that the president's communication with him was partial and contained anti-government sentiments.
The prime minister said that the president's constitutional responsibilities were not reflected in the letter, which was an open expression of opposition to the administration.
He criticized President Alvi, claiming that he dissolved the National Assembly in accordance with unlawful directives from former prime minister Imran Khan, which the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional on April 7.
He stated that, in accordance with Article 91, clause 5, President Alvi had a responsibility to administer the oath to him as prime minister.
"Despite the aforementioned and other times where you deliberately worked to undermine a legally elected government, I have made every effort to keep in contact with you and work well with you. Nonetheless, I feel forced to respond given the letter's content, tone, and language," he added.
PM Shehbaz also criticized President Alvi for keeping silent on the absence of ousted prime minister Imran Khan from court appearances.
He said, "I want to further reassure you that our government will foil any attempts to destabilize the duly elected government.