Pakistani President Arif Alvi failed in his attempt to negotiate a deal between the incumbent coalition government, led by Prime Minister (PM) Shahbaz Sharif, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan.
Addressing the media from the Governor House in Lahore on Saturday, Alvi said he was working with both sides to reduce “political polarisation” and “friction” in order to “save democracy from derailing.”
“For democracy to stay on track it is important for institutions and political parties to have healthy working relationships,” he stressed. In this regard, he voiced his opposition to a vote of no confidence against the Sharif government, saying that the country needs “strong and effective institutions.”
A copy of the press release accessed by Dawn said that Alvi had “made some impact towards reducing the distance from extreme positions to some extent.” It noted that the president has pushed the government and institutions to “focus on a greater vision and mission” and avoid getting caught up in “petty matters and issues of narrow scope.”
Alvi clarified that negotiations have begun but “are being kept under wraps to ensure the process remains on track.” He said that he would release the details of the talks if they succeeded.
“Peaceful protest is our right and we will keep doing it for fresh elections”-@ImranKhanPTI #حقیقی_آزادی_مارچ pic.twitter.com/8sEirtyMqr
— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 13, 2022
In fact, both Alvi and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa were in Lahore on Saturday, generating speculation that the pair had met for negotiations. Alvi is a critical player in leading mediation talks and has already facilitated a meeting between Bajwa and Khan. However, the exact details and timing of this meeting are yet to be released.
On his relationship with Khan, Alvi underscored that while they remain on friendly terms, he does not seek his counsel or take instructions from the former PM. Alvi is one of PTI’s founding members and is considered a close ally of Khan.
Nevertheless, although he clarified that he is “not brokering any deal for anyone,” Alvi defended Khan’s call for fresh elections. He noted, “Courts had enquired from political parties about early elections, indicating that even courts wanted political parties to consider going for early elections.”
In this regard, Alvi emphasised that he is working on holding “free, fair, and transparent” elections on a “mutually agreed upon date.”
Apart from the election issue, he also spoke of the ongoing discussion on the appointment of the new army chief, as Bajwa retires on 29 November.
He highlighted that the constitution forbids any consultation on the army chief’s appointment.
Alvi’s remarks come as PM Shehbaz Sharif visited London for a five-day trip and held a meeting with exiled former PM Nawaz Sharif on the appointment of the next army chief, indicating his disapproval of the discussions.
Imran Khan wants Gen Bajwa to continue as Army Chief until new Government is sworn in until after elections. He is ready to wait until mid 2023 but wants Shehbaz Sharif Government to be toppled and replaced by interim setup which cannot exceed 90 days.https://t.co/0ZECDf6QtK
— Muhammad Ibrahim (@miqazi) November 9, 2022
Even within the coalition government, the army chief’s appointment is a controversial issue. Dawn cited sources saying that Nawaz Sharif is “not showing any flexibility” on the decision and is “not willing to budge” on his choice.
Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party leader Asif Ali Zardari stressed that while he has given his recommendation, the Sharif brothers had their own choice for the position.
Khan, meanwhile, criticised the Sharif brothers’ meeting during his Haqeeqi Azadi March in Lala Musa, lamenting that “important decisions” were being taken abroad by people “who have looted Pakistan for the last 30 years.” He said that the army chief’s appointment should be solely based on merit.
As our Long March for Haqeeqi Azadi has resumed once again, I am calling on all our workers to end their road blockades with immediate effect.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 10, 2022
Virtually addressing the long march assembled in Kharian, Faisalabad, and Nowshera on Sunday, Khan emphasised that the long march aimed to assert the democratic right of peaceful protests and the need to conduct a transparent election. He stressed, “Election is the only solution to all problems of the country. Political stability will also bring economic stability to the country.”
He said that Nawaz Sharif, whom he described as a “convicted fugitive,” had decided against early elections as he was aware he would lose. Khan dominated in the National Assembly by-elections in October after winning six out of the seven seats he stood for, indicating his continued popularity amongst voters.
PTI chief Khan restarted his long march on Thursday, over a week after he was injured during an assassination attempt in Wazirabad. Khan has accused PM Sharif and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah of orchestrating the attack.
To this end, Khan had called on Alvi to “act now” and stop “rogue elements” in the government from abusing citizens. In a letter, he called on President Alvi to address the “serious wrongdoings that undermine Pakistan’s national security.”
He asserted that since his ouster in April, the country has seen “an ever-increasing scale of false allegations, harassment, arrests, and custodial torture.”