ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi on Thursday denied “brokering” any deal in the current political scenario, saying instead that he had always tried to “bring people closer” in his own capacity.
Widespread reports in local media have recently claimed the president arranged a meeting between former Prime Minister Imran Khan and top military officials, including army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Neither has confirmed the meeting. In an interview last week, Imran Khan responded to the reports in an interview by saying he “did not want to lie and cannot tell the truth.”
“I am not a broker. I only make efforts to bring people closer,” Alvi was quoted as saying by the APP. His comments came during an interactive session with journalists at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (Presidential Palace).
When asked whether he played a role in mending fences between top government officials and Khan, Alvi gave an evasive answer. “Even in conflict within a family, people contribute on their part to sort things out. This is never an easy job,” he said. Dr Arif Alvi called on politicians to end growing polarisation in the country and decide on an election date by coming together.
“People can only be united if politicians are united,” he said, highlighting that eliminating differences was the “need of the hour”.
The joint session of the National Assembly today was called in line with articles 54(1) and 56(3) of the Constitution.
The session was sparsely attended, with the majority of MNAs missing from both benches. Those in attendance were seen freely mingling and talking amongst one another while the president was speaking.
During his address to the joint session of the parliament on Thursday, Alvi called upon political parties in Pakistan to end “polarization” in the country and decide a date for general elections in the country.
“This is the year of elections and if there is polarization, we must resolve it,” he said. “We have an entire year. If the difference [over election date] pertains to only a few months, then after talking to each other and satisfying one another, you can decide a date for elections,” the president added.
Reiterating his stance, Alvi urged parliament to end polarization “for God’s sake.”
“Without letting go of rigidity, polarization can never come to an end,” he added.
Ousted in a parliamentary vote of confidence in April, former PM Khan has accused Washington of backing a campaign to oust him from office and blamed the incumbent government for being part of the “foreign conspiracy.” He has demanded early elections in Pakistan.
Washington and PM Sharif have both denied the allegations. Khan has threatened to launch a long march to Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, and force the government to announce an early date for general elections.
Sharif has rejected Khan’s demands and vowed elections would be held as per schedule next year. His government has warned Khan against marching to the capital, threatening to take stern action against him.