President Dr. Arif Alvi has emphasized the need to provide equal opportunities to all political parties in the forthcoming general elections. The President made this statement during a meeting with former federal minister and Senator, Muhammad Ali Durrani, at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad.
President Alvi underscored that democracy loses its meaning when people are not able to choose leaders according to their preferences. He stressed that the upcoming general elections must uphold principles of being free, fair, transparent, and inclusive.
He further highlighted the importance of ensuring that all political parties and their leadership receive equal opportunities to participate in the electoral process. This, he believes, will contribute to the strengthening of democracy in the country.
President Alvi expressed the urgent need for unity among political entities, institutions, and stakeholders in the country to address the various challenges faced, including those related to the economy.
He called for an end to bitterness and the promotion of cooperation and forgiveness among political actors. The President stressed that challenging decisions should have the backing of the people and their active participation.
President Alvi viewed the forthcoming general elections as an excellent opportunity to infuse the vibrancy required for the nation's reconstruction.
He also commended the statements made by political leaders across the spectrum, advocating for a level playing field as inclusivity is the essence of democracy.
Back in October, Muhammad Ali Durrani proposed a reconciliation formula for political parties and institutions in the country. He suggested that local body elections should be held simultaneously with the general elections to prevent any potential rigging.
Durrani believed that conducting local body elections alongside the general polls would ensure fairness. However, he noted that an ordinance would be required to facilitate this.
He also stated that several leaders within the PTI were opposed to confrontational politics, and the party chairman and former prime minister shared this sentiment.
Durrani emphasized that there was a consensus in the country against confrontational politics, and the desire was for peace and harmony to promote Pakistan's prosperity. He maintained that no one would gain an advantage by excluding anyone from the political process.
