MULTAN: Senior Pakistani politician Javed Hashmi has called for fresh general elections as a solution to the country’s escalating political crisis.
In a recent TV appearance, Hashmi expressed concerns over the current government’s stability, suggesting that its tenure may only last another one to two months, adding that even Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s position could face uncertainty soon.
Hashmi underscored the challenges facing PTI leader Imran Khan, who may remain in jail for an additional month and a half, and remarked that Khan’s leadership is under immense pressure. “There is no way to end the crisis except through general elections,” Hashmi stated.
Criticizing the recent 26th constitutional amendment, Hashmi argued that it has weakened Pakistan’s judicial framework more than it has strengthened it. He pointed to a growing division within the Supreme Court, describing it as split between constitutional and unconstitutional factions, which he believes complicates the judiciary’s role in the current political climate.
Hashmi also commented on historical shifts in power within Parliament, noting that prior amendments, such as the 13th, similarly concentrated authority. He voiced concerns over an excessive concentration of power in the Prime Minister’s office, stating, “I voted to make you the Prime Minister, not to make you the Amirul Momineen.”
Hashmi emphasized the importance of addressing the economic hardships faced by Pakistanis, urging Imran Khan to engage with those in power, not solely for his release but to tackle the pressing issue of poverty.
