Chief of the Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) Dr Tahirul Qadri.—File Photo

LAHORE: Two days before his party marches on Islamabad for electoral reforms in Pakistan,Tahirul Qadri, chief of the Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ), has called for the Election Commission of Pakistan to be dissolved and a new "impartial commission" to be formed.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Saturday, Qadri announced his charter of demands before the upcoming general elections. Qadri said that the charter consists of seven points out of which one will be announced today and the rest will be revealed in Islamabad.

Among his demands, Qadri called for the formation of an impartial election commission to be formed in place of the current ECP.

Qadri said that apart from the chief election commissioner, all four heads of the provincial commissions were politically appointed by the provincial administrations.

He said CEC Fakhruddin G Ebrahim was an honest man, however, he would not be able to conduct impartial elections due to his old age.

The TMQ chief further demanded that polls be held according to Articles 62, 63 and 218 of the Constitution.

He said the people would not accept elections if they are not held under these articles.

Qadri added that the door for negotiations was never closed, however, final negotiations would only be held in front of millions of people in Islamabad. He vowed that the long march would start from Data Darbar in Lahore and would take place as planned in spite of all hindrances.

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...