The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has censured the caretaker government’s decision to embark on privatisation, deeming it a departure from the constitutional framework.
The party called upon the caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaarul Haq Kakar, to cease international trips at the government’s expense and instead focus on the primary constitutional responsibility of conducting elections in the country.
A PTI spokesperson on Wednesday stressed that neither the Constitution nor the law bestows upon the caretaker government the authority to make far-reaching decisions, particularly pertaining to the privatisation and divestment of state-owned entities (SOEs).
Any commitments made by the ad-hoc government beyond the boundaries set by the Constitution and law were viewed with scepticism, and any extrajudicial decisions taken by it would not be endorsed by the forthcoming elected government, the spokesperson asserted.
The spokesperson argued that the disposal of state assets during the tenure of a government set to dissolve in a mere 53 days lacked justification and legality.
Moreover, any sovereign guarantees invoked by the caretaker government for these transactions held no legal standing.
The Constitution exclusively entrusted the prerogative of making such pivotal decisions to a government elected by the general populace for a full five-year term, the spokesperson maintained, adding that the caretaker government must grasp that the paramount interest of the state lied in unwavering adherence to the Constitution.
Read Interim set-up told to step up SOEs’ privatisation
Development and progress could only be realised through full compliance with the Constitution and the law, the spokesperson underscored.
Highlighting Article 230 of the Elections Act 2017, the spokesperson outlined the specific duties assigned to the caretaker government.
He said the article delineated that the sole remit of the caretaker government was to assist the election commission in conducting free and transparent elections.
Further, the Elections Act explicitly mandated the caretaker government to maintain impartiality and limit its involvement to day-to-day administrative matters.
Article 230 of the Elections Act expressly prohibited the caretaker government from making decisions on significant matters.
With just 53 days remaining in the constitutional term of the caretaker government, the spokesperson urged restraint, asking them to avoid causing irreparable harm to the nation and the country’s interests by exceeding constitutional boundaries.
Instead, the caretaker government should restrict itself within the confines of the law.
The spokesperson emphasised that the caretaker government’s paramount duty lied in ensuring the fair and transparent conduct of elections in accordance with the spirit of Article 230 of the Constitution and the Elections Act 2017.
The spokesperson concluded by warning that any indiscriminate attempts to divest national institutions would be met with resistance at all levels, from the courts to the general public, noting that the nation remained resolute in its commitment to prevent any endeavours aimed at looting national assets.