RECORDER REPORT

RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Ex-servicemen Association (PESA) on Tuesday called for immediate dissolution of assemblies, formation of a constitutional caretaker government, electoral reforms and appointment of an Independent Election Commission to hold fresh elections.

PESA has also offered its services to act as a facilitator in the present crisis in the best interest of Pakistan.

This was observed in the meeting of the Executive Council of PESA held to discuss the current political turmoil in the country.

Ex-Vice-Admiral Ahmad Tasnim SJ & Bar presided the meeting. Former officials of forces Admiral Fasih Bokhari, Lt-Gen Naeem Akbar, Air Marshal Masood Akhtar, Brig Muhammad Taj, SJ & Bar, Brig Mian Mahmud, Brig Masud ul Hassan, Brig Simon and Major Farouk Hamid Khan and others attended the meeting.

General Secretary PESA Brig Masud ul Hassan (retd) talking to Business Recorder dispelled the speculations that army was behind the statement issued by PESA. He said the statement was issued after a meeting of PESA.

All members unanimously agreed that the present crises in the country have exposed cracks, failings and vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s constitutional democracy.

It is time for the government to take an initiative and resolve the crisis through political and constitutional means, avoiding the use of force, they said. The ex-servicemen expressed grave concern that political leaders have failed to rise above their parties’ affiliations at the cost of country’s interests. The Government and Parliament have so far failed to perform their institutional functions and responsibilities towards addressing the serious and genuine public issues being raised through public protests.

It was noted that enough doubts have been raised regarding the fairness of elections. The process of disqualification of elected members, who include some ministers, is a testimony to these doubts.

Therefore, PESA calls for dissolution of assemblies, formation of a constitutional government, electoral reforms and appointment of an Independent Election Commission before fresh elections. The former military strategists expressed concern at the failure to implement orders of Additional Session Judge to register an FIR of the Model Town incident, which is a contempt of court and breach of fundamental rights of the citizens under the constitution. The Punjab Government must immediately give directions for the implementation of court’s orders. The accused can claim their innocence during the trial of the case.