Pakistan Peoples Party leader Taj Haider said that the party did not support a policy of delay in elections anywhere in the country and would not compromise on any such plan.

Speaking to Munizae Jahangir in Spotlight, Haider said that he had asked the Election Commision of Pakistan to declare petitions calling for delays in election to be non-maintainable.

He added that PPP had also asked ECP to take action against rumours on social media regarding rumours of elections being delayed. However, he clarified that discussions had not included any proposal of ban on social media.

Senator Afnanullah Khan said that while individual leaders could have their own opinions, as a party the PMLN was of the view that elections should take place on February 8.

He said that the SC’s decision was set in stone so the date of elections cannot be delayed. He added that the country could not be run indefinitely by caretaker governments.

Naeem Haider Panjutha said that those complaining about the possibility of cold weather hampering elections should wear ‘double sweaters’. He added that ‘attacks’ on the constitution should cease.

Panjutha said that Asif Zardari had made an ‘irresponsible’ statement by saying that elections could go ahead by eight to 10 days.

He said that elections had already been delayed past the constitutional limit of 90 days and if they were delayed further, no one would be able to talk about rule of law in the country.

Panjutha said that apart from the debate on the date of the election, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s workers were being picked up arbitrarily denying them the chance to campaign.

Haider said that the PPP had gone through similar difficulties and would not want the same to happen to anyone.

He cautioned that in terms of elections, 90 days could turn into ten years in Pakistan.

Panjutha said that elections could not be considered fair when fundamental rights were being trampled in the country.

He added that PTI had approached courts and ECP over the matter and nothing had changed.

Haider said that a new political culture would have to be brought in the country in a manner that went beyond just elections.

He added that PPP had been told by ECP that the schdule would be announced.

Khan said that PMLN had not been allowed to campaign in the 2018 elections and a gun had been pointed at his head on the day of polling.

He added that all parties should be allowed to contest elections but people facing charges or disqualifications could not be allowed to run for a seat.