PTI Raises Concerns Over Caretaker Officials’ Eligibility for Senate Elections

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has voiced concerns about the eligibility of individuals associated with the caretaker government to participate in the upcoming Senate elections, as reported by Dawn. PTI-backed MNA Ali Mohammad Khan cited constitutional constraints, arguing that those who served in the interim caretaker setup are constitutionally barred from contesting elections they oversaw.

Khan referred to Article 224(1B) of the Constitution, which states that members of caretaker Cabinets, including the caretaker Prime Minister and Chief Minister, and their immediate family members, are ineligible to contest the immediately following elections to such assemblies.

Expressing bewilderment over former caretaker officials vying for positions in the current government, Khan remarked, “If they can’t even contest elections, how can they even think of joining the cabinet of the incumbent government? Strange things are happening in Pakistan!”

Former PTI leader Shireen Mazari echoed these concerns, criticizing the upcoming Senate polls as an “electoral circus.” She specifically pointed out the candidature of Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Mohsin Naqvi, questioning their compliance with constitutional provisions. Mazari also highlighted instances such as Aimal Wali altering his domicile to qualify for Senate candidacy and Sarfraz Bugti’s resignation as a caretaker minister.

However, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar disagreed with PTI’s interpretation, asserting that Article 224(1B) does not prevent caretaker officials from contesting Senate elections. Tarar clarified that the article only prohibits them from participating in the first assembly election following their interim tenure.

Tarar cited the example of PTI leader Ali Zafar, who successfully ran for the Senate after serving as caretaker law minister in 2018, to illustrate his point. He dismissed PTI’s claims, stating that their interpretation of Article 224 is incorrect and lacks relevance.