President’s Secretariat asks Election Commission to propose dates for general elections

ISLAMABAD: The President’s Secretariat has asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to propose dates for the next general elections, which will be held within 90 days following the dissolution of the National Assembly, the President House said Wednesday.

“In a letter dated April 5, 2022 addressed to ECP, the President’s Secretariat asked to propose date(s) for holding general elections within 90 days from the date of dissolution of the National Assembly i.e., April 3, 2022, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of Pakistan,” the President House said in a statement. President’s Secretariat asks Election Commission to propose dates for general elections

The letter mentioned that ECP has been conveyed that clause 5 (A) of the Article 48 and clause 2 of Article 224 of the Constitution provide that the President shall appoint a date, not later than 90 days from the date of dissolution of the National Assembly, for holding general elections to the National Assembly.

“In order to carry out the mandate of the Constitution of announcing the date of general elections, consultation with the Election Commission is required under Section 57(1) of the Elections Act, 2017,” the letter stated. Meanwhile, President Dr Arif Alvi Wednesday asked the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) to further enhance its physical and online educational infrastructure to increase the number of quality graduates.

The president, during a briefing on IIUI, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, asked the Rector to double the educational shifts in the University and come up with a proposal within three months in this regard.  Rector of the IIUI, Prof. Dr Masoom Yasinzai, and senior officials of the University attended the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, the president said that the university needed to equip its students with soft skills, such as critical thinking, effective communication and teamwork, besides providing technical/hard skills.

He urged the university to include experts from the market in its Senate, besides developing collaborations with the industry to equip its students with marketable skills.

President Alvi also emphasised the need to encourage two-year Associate Degree Programs in order to fulfil the market’s growing demand for skilled graduates.

The IIUI Rector briefed the meeting about the academic programs and new initiatives being undertaken by the university.

It was highlighted that the IIUI had approved a new Strategic Plan (2022-26) for promoting growth and academic excellence; increasing research and collaboration; enhancing the financial sustainability of the University; improving the quality of life at the university campus; improving the Governance and Internal Control mechanism, and digitization of the university.

It was underlined that the new Strategic Plan would contribute to the socio-economic and technological environment of the country, besides bringing good governance to the institution.

The meeting was also briefed about the new initiatives such as the Online and Distance Learning, Directorate of Graduates Studies, Directorate of University Advancement and Promotion, Directorate of Research and Enterprises, and the Office of Linkages.

The president appreciated the performance and role of the university in promoting quality education in the country and assured the management of his support in this regard. Earlier to this, President Dr Arif Alvi Tuesday said that collective national efforts must be made for the realisation of the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state. He urged the need to disseminate information about the struggles and sacrifices of great leaders of the Pakistan movement so as to educate the younger generations about the ideology of Pakistan.

The president made these remarks while talking to the members of the executive committee of Nazriya Pakistan Council (Trust), that called on him, at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The president appreciated the efforts of the Trust in highlighting the ideology of Pakistan and inculcating the spirit of patriotism in the younger generation.

Chairman Nazriya Pakistan Council (NPC) Mian Muhammad Javed, briefed the president that the major aim and objective of the Trust was to spread the message of patriotism and the teachings of Islam.

He highlighted that the Trust was undertaking awareness activities throughout the country by holding debates, discussions and symposia about issues and problems confronting Pakistan.

The Supreme Court today adjourned hearing into the suo motu case about dismissal of no-confidence motion in the National Assembly till tomorrow [Thursday].

A five member larger bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial is hearing the case. PTI Counsel Babar Awan submitted his arguments.