The Supreme Court of Pakistan has made it clear that it will not tolerate any ill intentions on the part of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in conducting transparent polls. The CJP noted that the ECP is a constitutional body with the power to conduct transparent polls, and warned that the Supreme Court would intervene if the ECP were to act maliciously. Meanwhile, the SC has disposed of a petition against the transfer of Ghulam Mahmood Dogar as the Lahore capital city police officer. Dogar was suspended by the federal government in November 2022 for allegedly failing to ensure the security of the Governor House during a violent protest by PTI workers against the assassination attempt on Imran during his party’s long march. He was reinstated in December 2022 as the Lahore CCPO as per a Supreme Court directive issued on Dec 2, 2022. The newly installed caretaker Punjab government replaced him with Bilal Siddique Kamyana as the new CCPO. On February 17, the SC suspended repatriation orders to the federal government of Dogar but regretted the ECP’s failure to furnish any record showing how permission to transfer the officer was granted on a verbal request.
Bridging the Gender Digital Divide
Digital technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, with its pervasiveness across a multitude of sectors such as education, health, labour, and financial markets. However, the gender digital divide is a major concern in many countries, including Pakistan, where only 52% of adult women own a mobile phone, and women are 49% less likely to use mobile internet than men. Additionally, studies indicate that almost 60% of women face restrictions in using the internet. This disparity in digital access creates new inequalities and amplifies existing ones, reducing opportunities for networking and connecting, learning new skills, and realizing new avenues of increased earnings.
The issue of the gender digital divide has gained increasing attention in recent years, as digital connectivity not only allows women to work remotely but also provides access to international freelance jobs. Bridging the gender digital divide is necessary to unlock the potential of digital technology for economic and social empowerment. The UN recognized internet access as a catalyst for the enjoyment of human rights, including freedom of expression, economic, social, and educational rights. Increased digital inclusion of women will not only reduce the gender digital divide but will also help them obtain credit, save, attract customers, and gain access to international markets.
Therefore, it is crucial to bridge the gender digital divide, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan, to unlock the potential of digital technology for economic and social empowerment of women. This will require concerted efforts by governments, civil society, and the private sector to provide affordable digital infrastructure, promote digital literacy, and eliminate discriminatory practices and policies that restrict women’s access to digital technology.
Digital Technology and Women’s Labour: Can Connectivity Alleviate Constraints?
Pakistan consistently ranks amongst the lowest countries in terms of women’s formal labour force participation, and several factors contribute to this underperformance. High reproductive burden, mobility restrictions, lack of safe transport, and a hostile public and workspace are all factors that limit women’s ability to work outside the home. Women also face monitoring, long hours of housework, and harassment both en route to and at work.
However, improved digital connectivity could help alleviate these constraints. Digital technology allows women to work remotely, providing access to international freelance jobs. This was seen on a large scale during the COVID-19 pandemic, where women upskilled themselves on platforms like Coursera and connected with remote employers through dedicated Facebook groups like Women of Diversity. Even low-income, low-literate women are using digital technology to set up and expand their home businesses and upskill themselves through community organizations and rights advocacy groups.
In addition to providing access to remote work opportunities, digital technology can also help bridge the gender digital divide, which is a significant concern in Pakistan. Only 52% of adult Pakistani women own a mobile phone, and women are 49% less likely to use mobile internet than men. Bridging this divide will require efforts from governments, civil society, and the private sector to provide affordable digital infrastructure, promote digital literacy, and eliminate discriminatory practices and policies that restrict women’s access to digital technology.
By increasing digital inclusion, women can obtain credit, save, attract customers, and gain access to international markets. The UN recognizes internet access as a catalyst for the enjoyment of human rights, including freedom of expression, economic, social, and educational rights. With digital technology, women can network, learn new skills, and branch out to realize new avenues of increased earnings.
In conclusion, digital technology has the potential to provide women with greater economic and social empowerment, particularly in countries like Pakistan where the gender digital divide is significant. Improved digital connectivity and access to digital infrastructure can allow women to work remotely and gain access to international freelance jobs, thereby reducing constraints associated with reproductive burden, mobility restrictions, and a hostile public and workspace.
Digital Technology: A Tool for Women’s Empowerment in Pakistan
Women in Pakistan who have access to devices and the internet are leveraging these platforms to carve out financial independence, seek social justice, explore their identities, form collectives, and have fun. Technologies such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, and TikTok allow them to negotiate within and around social restrictions without openly challenging them, and to carve out more autonomy and agency for themselves. However, there are still significant barriers that prevent women from accessing and fully utilizing digital spaces and platforms.
Technology design is one of the most significant barriers. Many women in Pakistan have access to mobile devices as shared resources, but most applications assume a ‘one user, one device’ model, raising serious privacy and adoption barriers for women. Moreover, there is a reluctance among low-literate, low-income women to use mobile phones outside the home due to the problems it could cause with their families. Women who work from home, on the other hand, are much more active in their use of phones and the internet. Our work shows that women face a trade-off between physical and digital mobility, giving up one space in order to access the other.
As a society, we need to do much more to support and enable women to work, normalize their use of the internet and online spaces, and bridge the gender digital divide. Digital technology has the potential to provide women with greater economic and social empowerment, but it requires action on multiple fronts to include women. Relying on designs that assume all working women will have access to phones and the internet will exclude the most vulnerable.
In our work, we have interviewed about 200 low-literate, low-income women in a variety of occupations, including factory, domestic, and home-based work. We found that the most significant barriers to digital inclusion are often those of technology designs, and not literacy or income levels. When women have the motivation and recognize the value of digital spaces and platforms, they are able to adopt, learn, and maximize the benefit of these platforms.
Women’s access to digital technology is a critical step towards reducing the gender digital divide and unlocking the potential of digital technology for economic and social empowerment. Digital connectivity not only allows women to work remotely but also provides access to international freelance jobs, reducing constraints associated with reproductive burden, mobility restrictions, and a hostile public and workspace.
In conclusion, while digital technology is not a panacea, it can serve as a tool for women’s empowerment in Pakistan. Society must support and enable women to work, normalize their use of the internet and online spaces, and bridge the gender digital divide. Women can then leverage these platforms to carve out financial independence, seek social justice, explore their identities, form collectives, and have fun, without openly challenging social restrictions.
The collapse of Pakistan’s governance compact
Pakistan is experiencing the collapse of its seventh governance iteration since its inception in 1947. The previous iterations were characterized by different degrees of balance between the civilian and military ruling classes. The first iteration was almost entirely civilian, followed by the dictatorship kleptocracy of the second iteration. The third iteration, led by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, brought the 1973 Constitution, land reforms, and nationalization of industries, but eventually gave way to the fourth iteration, which saw the balance of power shift towards the military with the horrors of Zia. The fifth iteration was a game of musical chairs between civilian faces and military power, leading to never-ending drama. The sixth iteration was Musharraf’s dictatorship, which once again cemented the military’s primacy in Pakistan’s political economy. The seventh iteration, a hybrid democracy, is collapsing under the assault unleashed by Khan and his party, leading to the possible birth of an eighth iteration.
The ongoing fight between Khan and his former benefactors
The ongoing fight between Khan and his former benefactors dealt a deadly blow to the seventh iteration of Pakistan’s governance compact. Khan’s ouster could have been survived by the seventh iteration, were it not for Nawaz Sharif’s decision to continue fighting. Sharif sacrificed his life for the seventh iteration, which also survived his disqualification in 2017 but is now collapsing under Khan’s assault.
A New Era for Pakistan: The Eighth Iteration of Regimes
Pakistan is moving towards its eighth iteration of regimes since its founding in 1947, with varying degrees of balance between the civilian and military ruling classes. Prime Minister Imran Khan is seeking to bring forth a new era, which his supporters believe will finally deliver the supremacy of the Constitution and rule of law promised to the citizens of the country. However, the status quo is preventing this outcome, pointing to nearly a hundred cases against Khan and the assassination attempt that almost ended his life. Khan himself claims that the goal of the status quo is to kill him, for he has become far too dangerous for his former benefactors.
Khan is fighting against the machine that birthed him and nurtured his predecessors, seeking to bring meaningful civilian supremacy. He draws strength from the support of millions of citizens who see him as their savior, as they have all experienced the horror that the status quo power inflicts. Khan is following a direct and confrontational strategy, using the anger of the majority youth to his advantage. He is up against the leadership of the most powerful institution in Pakistan, but has split the establishment itself and has the gavel bending to his power.
The Fight for the Most Powerful Positions in the Republic
The fight among key actors of the ruling elite is not just about the elite. Khan is seeking the job for the country’s prime minister, the de jure most powerful position in the Republic, and the country’s army chief, the de facto most powerful position in the Republic. He is not the only one who has been hard done by the status quo, as almost every citizen that is not among “them” has a direct or indirect experience of the horror that the status quo power inflicts.
Khan’s Confrontational Strategy
Unlike his predecessors who tried to outfox the status quo, Khan is following a direct and confrontational strategy, which may have many flaws, but its aggression is also perhaps its biggest strength. Approximately 60% of Pakistan’s population is under 30, and a significant portion of this demographic supports Khan. His confrontational approach has split the establishment and is heralding for significant changes to come. Although it is uncertain whether Khan will win or lose, what we can say for sure is that significant upheaval is around the corner.
The regime is dead. Long live the regime.
India has blocked Pakistan’s participation in a seminar organised by India’s Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses on Tuesday. The seminar, ‘SCO Armed Forces Contribution in Military Medicine, healthcare and pandemics’ had participation from members and observer states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). India claims Pakistan ‘skipped the event’ after raising objections to ‘incorrect depiction’ of held Kashmir on the map. Pakistan has rejected this claim, saying that Kashmir is an internationally-recognised disputed territory ‘whose final disposition will be made in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions through a fair and impartial plebiscite under the UN auspices’.
According to an official, India has misused its position as the Chair of the SCO and acted irresponsibly in denying a sovereign member state the right to participate in an SCO event. Pakistan has urged India not to exploit its position as the SCO Chair to advance ‘self-serving objectives’ and refrain from politicising the organisation. In line with its strong commitment to the Shanghai spirit and the charter and objectives of the SCO, Pakistan has been participating with a positive and constructive approach in various events being held under the current Chair.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) postponed the Punjab elections, originally scheduled for April 30, till October 8. The ECP said that it had withdrawn the election programme and fresh schedule would be issued with the poll date on October 8. The Supreme Court had ruled that the elections to the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies should be held within the stipulated period of 90 days. It had allowed the ECP to propose a poll date that deviates from the 90-day deadline by the “barest minimum”, in case of any practical difficulty. The ECP had proposed dates between April 30 and May 7 for the elections and the President had announced that the Punjab elections will be held on April 30. However, the ECP later postponed the elections to October 8 citing the ‘heightened security situation in the province and the recent terrorist wave’.
Punjab Elections Postponed till October 8
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has postponed the elections for the Punjab assembly until October 8, citing a massive shortfall in police personnel and the non-provision of army personnel as a static force, according to an order. The Supreme Court had ruled that the elections to the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies should be held within 90 days. However, the ECP was permitted to suggest a poll date that deviates from the 90-day deadline by the “barest minimum,” in the event of any practical difficulty.
Reasons for Postponement
The ECP cited serious threats to politicians, deteriorating law and order, and a charged political environment as reasons for the elections’ postponement. They also pointed out a shortfall of 386,623 police personnel for election duty, along with the inability of the armed forces to help the commission with conducting elections. The finance ministry also displayed an inability to release funds due to financial crunch and an unprecedented economic crisis in the country.
Prevailing Law and Order Situation
On February 8, the Punjab chief secretary and police chief were summoned for a briefing on the current law and order situation. Officials reported on the spate of terrorist attacks in the province since January, prevention of over 213 terrorist attacks in the province in the past two months, the “serious live terrorism threats” present, the cleanup operations under way for eradicating terrorists that would take four to five months, and the shortfall of police personnel.
The interior ministry conveyed to the ECP on Feb 8 that the deployment of civil and armed forces would not be possible due to the “spike in incidents of terrorism across the country” and threat alerts from intelligence agencies. On March 9, the ECP again approached the interior and finance ministries regarding conducting polls and their security arrangements to which it was informed that “elections are not possible due to deteriorating law and order situation, charged political environment, serious threat to politicians,” while the finance secretary conveyed that it would be “very difficult” for the federal government to provide polling funds.
Unable to Make Alternate Security Arrangements
According to the ECP order, despite their best efforts, the executive authorities and federal and provincial governments were not able to assist the electoral body in conducting free, fair, and transparent elections in Punjab. Currently, only one security personnel on average is available per polling station due to a massive shortfall in police personnel and non-provision of army personnel as a static force. The commission is unable to make alternate arrangements to ensure security of the election material, polling staff, voters, and the candidates.
ECP postpones Punjab Elections until October 8
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has postponed the Punjab elections, which were originally scheduled for April 30, to October 8. The ECP has cited the inability to conduct free and fair elections due to a shortfall of 386,623 police personnel for election duty, the serious terrorist threats present, and the charged political environment prevailing in the country.
ECP’s Considerations
After receiving briefings from law enforcement agencies and federal ministries, the ECP had meetings on March 20, 21 and 22 to deliberate on the matter of the Punjab elections. In light of the reports, briefings, and material presented before it, the ECP concluded that it is not possible to hold the elections honestly, justly, fairly, and peacefully in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
PTI’s Criticisms
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its leaders have criticized the ECP’s move, calling it a violation of the Constitution and the end of the rule of law in Pakistan. PTI Chairman Imran Khan has called on everyone to stand behind the legal community to protect the Constitution. PTI Secretary General Asad Umar questioned the constitutional provision under which the commission changed the election date, while PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said that the Constitution and the Supreme Court have been effectively abolished, and Pakistan is now without a Constitution. PTI Senator Faisal Javed has called for the Punjab caretaker government to be immediately sacked, and senior PTI leader Shireen Mazari has noted that this move could be the first step towards overtly ending democracy.
Punjab, KP Elections in Limbo
In November last year, former Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced that the PTI would disassociate itself from the current corrupt political system by quitting the two provincial assemblies where it was in power. The Punjab and KP assemblies were dissolved on Jan 14 and Jan 18, respectively. Elections are to be held within 90 days after the dissolution of assemblies, but the two governors advised the ECP to consult stakeholders rather than setting dates for the elections. Chief secretaries and inspectors-general of the two provinces had reported a shortage of police force and terrorism threats, making a case for putting off the elections.
ECP Cancels Punjab Assembly Election
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has canceled the general elections to the provincial assembly in Punjab, citing concerns of the “deteriorating law and order situation, charged political environment, serious threat to politicians” as well as logistical challenges. The ECP had earlier informed the interior and finance ministries that the security situation did not allow the deployment of civil and armed forces personnel. Additionally, the Punjab caretaker government stated that it would not be able to provide funds for the polls. The ECP had called meetings with the law enforcement agencies and federal ministries to discuss the security situation before reaching its decision.
Opposition Criticizes ECP’s Move
The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party and its leaders have criticized the ECP’s move, calling it a violation of the constitution and the “end of rule of law in Pakistan”. The party has also accused the ECP of changing the election date when it previously stated it did not have the authority to do so. The opposition has also criticized the President’s unilateral announcement of April 9 as the election date for Punjab and KP assemblies. The ECP has said that it will announce the poll schedule only after the “competent authority” fixes the date.
Worsening Law and Order Situation
The law and order situation in the country has deteriorated over the past few months, with terrorist groups carrying out attacks across the country. The banned militant group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has intensified its attacks, particularly targeting the police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and areas bordering Afghanistan. Insurgents in Balochistan have also increased their violent activities and formalized a nexus with the TTP. According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, 134 people lost their lives, and 254 were injured in at least 44 militant attacks across the country in January 2023.
Democracy in Danger
Pakistan’s democracy is in danger as the current political dispensation appears to be metamorphosing into a classical Third World dictatorship. The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government and the military seem to share an agenda to punish the PTI for its transgressions, real or imagined, setting a dangerous precedent. The PML-N’s vice president Maryam Nawaz has urged the government to treat the country’s largest political party as a terrorist outfit, leading to a sweeping crackdown on PTI’s workers and second-tier leadership under extreme charges such as terrorism. The dismantling of the edifice of Pakistani democracy is being overseen and cheered on by the same people who were clamoring for public support with the ‘Vote ko izzat do’ (respect the vote) slogan just years ago.
Pakistani Elections Postponed Due to Security Concerns
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has officially announced that general elections for the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) assemblies will not be held on April 9, as previously announced by President Arif Alvi. This announcement was made in light of the prevailing security situation in the country, with terrorist attacks on the rise and a massive shortfall of police personnel.
Briefings to the ECP
On February 8, the Punjab chief secretary and police chief were summoned to the ECP for a briefing on the law and order situation in the province. The officials reported on the spate of terrorist attacks in the province since January and prevention of over 213 terrorist attacks in the past two months. They also reported on the “serious live terrorism threats” present, the cleanup operations under way for eradicating terrorists that would take four to five months, and the shortfall of 386,623 police personnel for election duty. The interior ministry also conveyed to the ECP on Feb 8 that the deployment of civil and armed forces would not be possible due to the “spike in incidents of terrorism across the country” and threat alerts from intelligence agencies.
After the apex court’s order, the ECP held a meeting with intelligence and security officials from Punjab and KP on March 10. The officials apprised the ECP about their inability to help the commission in conducting elections, the possibility of election officials being kidnapped during polls, and recommended that elections not be held at the present time.
Punjab and KP election limbo
The Punjab and KP assemblies were dissolved on Jan 14 and Jan 18, respectively, with the elections expected to be held within 90 days after their dissolution. However, due to the security situation and the ECP’s inability to make alternate arrangements to ensure security, the polls cannot be held at this time. The ECP order pointed out that the finance ministry had also shown an “inability to release funds due to financial crunch and unprecedented economic crisis in the country”.
Power Struggle between Ruling Coalition and PTI Opposition
The power struggle between the ruling coalition and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposition has intensified over the past few weeks, with both sides hardening their positions. PTI supporters have engaged in pitched street battles with the law-enforcement agencies in Lahore and Islamabad, resisting all attempts to arrest party leader Imran Khan.
Meanwhile, the ruling circles have vowed to take stern action against the PTI, describing the party as a “clique of militants trained by banned outfits”. These developments have given a vicious twist to the ongoing power struggle, with any hopes of the deadlock between the two sides being resolved through negotiations diminishing.
The events of last week have raised concerns about the gradual dismantling of the edifice of Pakistan’s democracy, with the government borrowing its vocabulary from a dictator’s playbook. The Constitution explicitly calls for elections to the assemblies of Punjab and KP within 90 days of their dissolution. If all elections are to be held together, they must be held within this timeline. Any attempt to subvert the Constitution just to prevent the PTI from securing a mandate from the public will not be tolerated.
According to statistics released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, an Islamabad-based think-tank, January 2023 remained one of the deadliest months since July 2018, with 134 people losing their lives and 254 receiving injuries in at least 44 militant attacks across the country. The worsening security situation and the inability to make alternate arrangements to ensure security have led to the postponement of the elections.
Crackdown and Political Uncertainty Mount in Pakistan
Pakistan is experiencing a surge in political uncertainty as the government’s crackdown on political opposition continues. Following weeks of street battles between the law enforcement agencies and PTI supporters, the authorities have arrested scores of PTI activists. The timing of the crackdown, ahead of Punjab Assembly elections scheduled for April 30, has added to the existing uncertainty.
Elections Unlikely to Take Place on Schedule
It is increasingly clear that the polls may not take place on the scheduled date in Punjab, while the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor has yet to give a time frame for the assembly polls due in the province. The statements from the ruling alliance leaders suggest that there is a move to outlaw the PTI. The government is preparing to resort to the coercive power of the state, thus slamming shut the door of dialogue on the opposition.
Crackdown on the PTI
In a strongly-worded statement issued after a marathon meeting of the coalition leaders, followed by a huddle of the civil and military leadership, the government said that “taking up arms against the state, targeting its officers and men” would not be tolerated. The PTI’s own belligerence has not helped matters, and its refusal to sit with the government politicians to resolve key political issues facing the country has contributed to the current impasse.
Possibility of Banning PTI
The civil and military leadership have reportedly agreed to deal strictly with the PTI for using force against the law-enforcement agencies. Any move to ban the PTI or arrest Imran Khan could push the country towards civil strife. Any repressive measure is likely to only intensify the confrontation and deepen polarization.
Political Culture of Reprisal
The former prime minister, Imran Khan, is already facing dozens of cases on charges ranging from terrorism to corruption to receiving illegal funding from foreign donors in various parts of the country. Intimidatory actions would be counterproductive and weaken the democratic political process in the country.
Summoning Joint Session of Parliament
In a surprise move, the government has summoned a joint session of parliament on Wednesday, apparently to consider action against the PTI. But the decision by a truncated parliament will have no legitimacy.
Popular Support for Imran Khan
Interestingly, the crackdown seems to have increased popular support for the former prime minister, as demonstrated in recent opinion polls. Khan’s popularity has catapulted in the past few months, taking him far ahead of all other political leaders, while the government’s incompetence and failure to deliver on critical policy issues have added to its growing unpopularity.
Conclusion
Pakistan is in the midst of a power struggle between the ruling coalition and the PTI opposition, with both sides hardening their positions. A crackdown on the PTI by the government and law enforcement agencies is leading to mounting political uncertainty. The timing of the crackdown ahead of key elections, the possibility of banning the PTI, and summoning a truncated parliament are all contributing to the crisis. The political culture of reprisal could lead to deeper polarization and weaken the democratic political process.
Political Crisis in Pakistan Deepens as Opposition Leaders Face Persecution
The political crisis in Pakistan has taken an ugly turn, with opposition leaders facing persecution and the government resorting to authoritarian tactics. Former prime minister Imran Khan and his party are in the crosshairs of the ruling coalition, with the possibility of being banned and arrested on charges of being a “clique of militants trained by banned outfits”.
Crackdown on PTI Activists Raises Concerns
In the aftermath of violent clashes between PTI activists and law enforcement agencies, scores of PTI supporters are being arrested in a crackdown. The government has given the law-enforcement agencies a free hand to deal with the protesters. The crackdown has only added to the prevailing political uncertainty, and it is becoming increasingly clear that the Punjab Assembly elections scheduled for April 30 may not take place on the stipulated date.
Attempt to Outlaw PTI Could Deepen Political Crisis
The move to outlaw the PTI and arrest Imran Khan is a clear signal that the government is preparing to resort to the coercive power of the state and slam shut the door of dialogue on the opposition. Any repressive measure is likely to intensify the confrontation and deepen polarization. The crackdown seems to have increased popular support for the former prime minister as demonstrated in recent opinion polls.
Simultaneous Elections Must be Decided by Agreement
While the civil and military leadership have reportedly agreed to hold elections to the national and provincial assemblies simultaneously, there is still no clarity about the time frame. Any unilateral decision could deepen the crisis, and a date for simultaneous elections must be decided on with an agreement between the government and the opposition.
Political Culture of Reprisal Must Stop
Pakistan’s political leadership must learn from the past and stop resorting to a political culture of reprisal. With every state institution now becoming controversial, the writ of the state has been eroded. It is extremely worrying that the ongoing political power struggle has sharpened the clash of institutions, raising fears of a systemic collapse. The country’s fate is now hostage to a senseless power struggle between a reckless populist force and an obsolete conglomeration at the helm.
As the situation worsens, it is imperative that the country’s leadership sets aside its differences and focuses on the pressing issues facing the nation, including the worsening law and order situation, economic collapse, and political deadlock. The country’s democratic political process must be restored to prevent further damage to the nation’s institutions and to ensure a peaceful, stable future.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Umar Ata Bandial, has emphasized that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will be offered protection as a constitutional body, while warning that the Supreme Court will step in if there are any ill intentions in holding “transparent elections”. This statement was made during the hearing of a petition against the transfer of Ghulam Mahmood Dogar as the Lahore capital city police officer. The ECP had approached the Supreme Court to become a party in the case, arguing that without reshuffling of “partisan officers”, free and fair elections would not be possible. During the hearing, the apex court disposed of the petition after the petitioner withdrew the plea. The commission’s lawyer told the court that the election schedule for Punjab had been issued, adding that the ECP could give transfer orders to the interim government. Chief Justice Bandial remarked that the ECP should not give the interim government a free hand in making transfers, and that the Supreme Court would intervene if there is any ill intention in holding transparent polls.
The CJP further commented on the audio leaks that have been making rounds in recent weeks, saying that the SC was being “defamed through audio tapes”, which he considered to have no significance. He also clarified that the Court’s remarks in a previous case regarding the existence of an honest Prime Minister in 1988 had been misinterpreted by Parliament, and that the Court had never claimed that there has only been one honest Prime Minister in the country’s history.
The Election Commission of Pakistan’s role is to conduct transparent polls, which is vital to the democratic process. As a constitutional body, it is imperative that it is protected and allowed to carry out its responsibilities without any interference. The Supreme Court’s statement on intervening if there are any ill intentions in holding transparent polls is an important message to all parties involved in the electoral process. The issue of transfers is a sensitive one, and the Court’s comments on not giving the interim government a free hand in making transfers is a reminder to uphold the principles of free and fair elections.
A Timeline of the Ghulam Mahmood Dogar Transfer Saga
A brief look at the timeline of events surrounding the transfer of Ghulam Mahmood Dogar, a BS-21 officer who served as the Lahore capital city police officer (CCPO).
September 2022
Dogar was initially recalled by the federal government in September 2022 after the Lahore police had booked two PML-N ministers, as well as two senior officials of state-run PTV, on terrorism charges for allegedly “fanning religious hatred” against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and “endangering his life.”
November 2022
After a back-and-forth, the federal government suspended Dogar in early November for apparently not ensuring the security of the Governor House during a violent protest by PTI workers against the assassination attempt on Imran during his party’s long march.
December 2022
He was then reinstated as the Lahore CCPO as per a Supreme Court directive issued on December 2, 2022.
January 2023
Dogar had been appointed as the head of the joint investigation team (JIT) probing the Wazirabad attack on Imran. In early January, he had proposed departmental action against four senior members of the panel after they said there was no proof that there were multiple shooters, despite the PTI’s assertions.
He had also proposed action against two other senior police officers, including Gujrat District Police Officer Syed Ghazanfar Ali Shah and a Counter Terrorism Department senior superintendent of police – who was not part of the probe team – for allegedly recording a video statement of the prime suspect arrested from the attack spot and leaking it to the media.
January 23, 2023
On January 23, the newly installed caretaker Punjab government replaced Dogar with Bilal Siddique Kamyana as the new CCPO.
February 17, 2023
On February 17, the Supreme Court suspended repatriation orders to the federal government of Dogar but regretted the ECP’s failure to furnish any record showing how permission to transfer the officer was granted on a verbal request.
March 2023
Following the verdict, the federal government withdrew two notifications of transfer and suspension of Dogar, putting his services at the disposal of the Punjab caretaker government to take further decisions for his appointment.
The Ghulam Mahmood Dogar transfer saga was marked by a series of suspensions, transfers, and a Supreme Court directive. The case highlights the complex relationship between federal and provincial governments and the power struggles between political parties in Pakistan.
Don’t miss interesting posts on Famousbio
