PPP leader Khursheed Shah has warned that an emergency or martial law would have to be imposed if the general elections were held beyond February.

“Elections could be held by the last week of February at most. It will be unconstitutional if they exceed further,” he said in an interview with Aaj News show Spot Light with Munizae Jahangir on Monday. “In that case, they will have to impose an emergency or martial law. There is no other way.”

He was responding to a query about whether the PPP could take to the streets and approach the Supreme Court if the elections could be further delayed since the Election Commission of Pakistan has not announced any specific poll date.

The country’s top electoral authority has asked the people to prepare for the chilly elections in January 2024, with the JUI-F asking the body to delay citing the weather reasons.

Khursheed went on to add that the polls overseer had the last week of February at the most to conduct elections.

The senior PPP leader believed that the incumbent chief justice of Pakistan would not compromise on any such matter where the Constitution was violated. “So, I believe that it will be very difficult for anyone to postpone elections.

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When asked, he said that the courts would not allow any delay. Khursheed explained that the parliamentary elections have a way that the Senate’s constituency was provincial assemblies. Parliament would stand as dissolved if the Senate completed its tenure on March 6.

He wondered how a “black corridor” would be filled in the absence of Parliament. The PPP leader added that such a possibility was very difficult and courts would not allow it. “Emergency or martial law will have to be imposed if it has to be done.”

He was hopeful that the election date would be announced after October 27.

Khursheed was of the view that elections could be held even if the PIT chief was disqualified. He added that it would be PTI’s biggest mistake if it boycotted the election, adding that the PPP faced a big loss after boycotting 1985 elections.

While speaking about PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s return, the PPP leader said that it was possible that the former prime minister’s health might deteriorate again and he would not come as his sickness was the reason for seeking treatment abroad.

He alleged that the PML-N could make rigging allegations as their party members were part of the caretaker setup.