Pakistan’s Supreme Court can order fresh elections if Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf decides not to write a letter to the Swiss authorities by July 25 to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, legal experts said.
“There is this option. The six options that the Supreme Court gave in its order before sacking Prime Minister (Yousaf Raza) Gilani included ‘going to the people’ and this means elections”, former law minister and senior PPP leader Senator Baber Awan told this newspaper.
Senator Awan, who is no longer a member of Mr Zardari’s kitchen cabinet, said instead of disqualifying another PM, the Supreme Court may choose the option of elections this time.
Another PPP leader said the July 25 deadline to write to the Swiss authorities has once again caused tremors in the corridors of power, with many PPP stalwarts in favour of an early election. “There are many PPP leaders optimistic of returning to power with the help of coalition partners after seeking a fresh mandate”, he said.
The PPP leader said the party was not gaining anything from the current standoff, and it would be better to open a dialogue with the Opposition parties.