ISLAMABAD
The government and opposition on Thursday agreed to appoint Rana Bhagwandas as the chief election commissioner (CEC), sources told Pakistan Today.
They said Finance Minister Ishaq Dar contacted opposition leader in the National Assembly Khurshid Shah in this regard. Amendments are expected to be presented in the National Assembly on Friday (today) to remove legal hurdles.
Supreme Court Justice Nasirul Mulk has been serving as the acting CEC following the resignation of Fakhruddin G Ibrahim, who relinquished the office after opposition parties accused him of failing to conduct free and fair polls in 2013.
Earlier, the government sought two-week time from the Supreme Court for the appointment of chief election commissioner (CEC).
A three-member bench, headed by Justice Saqib Nisar, heard the case pertaining to the CEC’s permanent appointment.
During the course of proceedings, the deputy attorney general apprised the court about a meeting of attorney general with the government while requested the court to extend the deadline by two weeks.
Justice Nisar said that the court had already given a one-month time for the appointment on February 19, adding that more time will not be given.
The court will issue appropriate order if the CEC was not appointed until March 19, he added.
The case was adjourned until March 20.
