Severe cold, terrorism: Another resolution lands in Senate for polls delay

ISLAMABAD: As the country appears to be moving towards the February 8 general election, yet another resolution seeking delay in the general election landed in the Senate Secretariat on Sunday.

This time again, an independent senator from a tribal district, Hilalur Rehman, who heads a house standing committee, submitted the resolution, which pointed out that severe cold weather and snowfall would prevent citizens from voting in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

His own term will end in March this year. The Sunday’s resolution to postpone the general election is the third one submitted within a few days.

The resolution also explained numerous challenges being faced by the candidates in running their election campaign in the province. He mentioned security concerns in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and fears of terrorism afflicting the candidates during their election campaigns.

Senator Hilal contended in the resolution that there was a feeling of deprivation among the voters and candidates of KP, as the election date is proving to be inappropriate.

Through the resolution, he demanded that the general election be postponed to a suitable date in future, instead of February 8.

Two days ago, a resolution was submitted in the Senate to postpone the general election. The resolution was submitted by an independent Senator Hidayatullah from former FATA, which is now part of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. In the resolution, it was maintained that there were deep concerns about attacks on the candidates, as the incidents of terrorism were increasing across the country. It demanded that general election should be postponed for three months. The House already adopted a resolution seeking postponement of elections. Immediately after that, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, backed by Pakistan Peoples Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, submitted a requisition motion last week for a Senate session to debate the February 8 elections and to ensure they are held on the fixed date without any delay. JI Senator Mushtaq Ahmad also submitted a resolution for timely holding of elections in the country.