Premature dissolution of assemblies won't affect Senate poll: PM

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Thursday said the premature dissolution of any provincial assembly or assemblies would not affect the Senate election, which would be held in time as per the Constitution. "In case, any provincial assembly is dissolved before the Senate elections, the senators would be elected on the basis of seats in the National Assembly and the remaining provincial assemblies. The Constitution is very much clear on it," he said in an interview with a private television channel.
The prime minister in response to a question said there could be an aspect of conspiracy in such things and talks. However, if any chief minister opted for a premature dissolution of a provincial assembly, he would compromise his politics, he added. About the gathering of main opposition parties leaders along with Dr Tahir-ul- Qadri in Lahore on January 17, Prime Minister Abbasi said it was for them (Asif Zardari and Imran Khan) to think and decide as to why they were joining hands with a non-entity (Tahir ul Qadri).
To another question, he said, "If Asif Ali Zardari and Imran Khan were joining hands with a smaller party, which had no political credibility and base, then questions would definitely arise." "I don't know why they are in a hurry, when only four months are left in the election," the prime minister said and categorically stated that the government would complete its term and the general election would be held in July next.
He said even if he dissolved the National Assembly right now, there was no chance for early election before the completion of ongoing process of delimitation of constituencies in accordance with the new census. He advised the opposition parties and leaders to wait for the next general election; focus on election politics and not to become part of the efforts of instability, which would affect their performance in the election.
To another question, the prime minister said Imran Khan was used to taking turns on daily basis. To a query, he clarified his remarks about the July 28 Supreme Court verdict and said he had stated that the decision was neither accepted by the masses nor it would be recorded in the history. The SC verdict was implemented in letter and spirit, he added.
He also referred to the execution of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and said that decision of the superior court was not accepted by the masses as well as history. As regards former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's views about institutions, Abbasi said he (Nawaz Sharif) was a senior politician and thrice-elected prime minister and his views were "not a hard-line" but "a statement of facts". To a question about Nawaz Sharif's reported views about Sheikh Mujeeb ur Rehman, the prime minister said, "The politicians have to face different questions from media, and sometimes the remarks are reported out of context."
When asked as to who would be the next prime minister from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) if the party won the next election, he said it would be decided by the party's Central Executive Committee and the leadership.