No elections in Pakistan in January 2024, says President Arif Alvi

General elections in cash-strapped Pakistan have been the talking point most of the time this year. Even though, the country’s election commission has announced polling for January next, President Dr Arif Alvi said he does not believe them to take place that time. In an interview with Geo News, Pakistan’s President said: “I don’t believe the elections [will take place in the last week of January]. I think that the supreme judiciary has taken notice of it and it will issue an apt order.” The report further said political analysts from the country have also echoed Alvi and have raised concerns about a possible delay in the polls, with several indicating that no political party seems to be in “election mode”. Some also mentioned that politicos have also cautioned about the “harsh weather” during winters that could hamper the polling process. Alvi has also called for transparent polls when they are held, saying it is crucial for Pakistan’s development. “…everyone is also calling for a level-playing field,” he said. The president also emphasised the need for the poll-bound nation to become one. “Spirit of forgiveness builds nations,” he added. Last month, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced that it would conduct polls in the last week of January 2024, but has still not given an exact date. Elections in Pakistan were supposed to be held within 90 days after the dissolution of the National Assembly in August 2023, however, they were delayed after a fresh census was approved, warranting new delimitations. In the interview, Alvi also said Imran Khan is his leader and that he found the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman to be “honest in [his] financial dealings […] he is a patriotic Pakistani.”