- Info minister reaches out to leaders of various parties in NA for consultation on names for new CEC
- JI and MQM endorse PTI nominee Justice Zahid but other parties express reservations over his old age
- Qureshi tells Shah PTI will not accept any nominee with known political affiliation
The government on Friday initiated contacts with various political parties regarding the appointment of the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), as the Supreme Court’s deadline to the government to make a permanent appointment on the crucial post ends on November 13.
On Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s instruction, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid contacted six political parties, including Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders Haider Abbas Rizvi and Babar Ghauri, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq, National Party chief Hasil Bezinjo, Awami National Party’s Haji Adeel and Qaumi Watan Party head Aftab Ahmed Sherpao for discussion on the proposed names for the CEC post.
Sharif on Thursday had suggested the names of Justice (r) Rana Bhagwandas, Justice (r) Tassaduq Hussain Jilani and Justice (r) Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui during a consultative meeting with National Assembly Opposition Leader Syed Khursheed Shah. The PPP has proposed the names of Justice (r) Mian Ajmal and Justice (r) Tariq Pervez.
But the feedback that the government has received so far from political parties suggests that none of the proposed names are feasible, with at least one party having reservations against the proposed candidates.
Sources said that political parties were not in favour of Rana Bhagwandas because of the constitutional bar on him. Siddiqui was rejected since he had consented to be the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s presidential candidate. Ajmal’s name was rejected as he had served as law secretary during Pervez Musharraf’s regime, while Tariq Pervez had served as caretaker chief minister in the previous tenure. Moreover, the legal fraternity has reservations against Jilani.
Almost all political parties have rejected Justice (r) Nasir Aslam Zahid, who was suggested by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday. The parties believe that PTI named Zahid unilaterally – without taking either the leader of the opposition in the NA, and other political parties, in confidence.
However on Friday, the JI expressed its support to the PTI nominee even though the others believe that like Fakhruddin G Ebrahim, Zahid is too old to handle the pressures associated with the post.
The MQM, after a joint meeting of its Karachi-London Rabita Committee on Friday, deliberated on four names for the CEC post.
They backed Justice (r) Zahid, Justice (r) Jilani and Justice (r) Bhagwandas while additionally proposing the name of Justice (r) Ghaus Muhammad.
PTI STICKS TO ZAHID’S NAME:
Voicing concerns over certain names suggested for the CEC’s post, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that some of the nominees have political affiliations and that his party would protest if they are appointed.
He voiced his party’s stance after a meeting with Khursheed Shah over the issue.
Reiterating PTI’s stance on 2013 general elections, Qureshi said the current Election Commission was controversial and not acceptable to the PTI.
“The ECP should have officials with spotless characters; with this appointment, we are laying the foundation for a better poll body,” he said.
Defending PTI’s nomination of Justice Zahid for the post, Qureshi said Zahid has an untarnished career and no one can point a finger at him.
“Zahid can never be pressurised by anyone; we think by appointing him as CEC, we will be doing a great service to Pakistan,” Qureshi added.
Addressing reporters after the PTI leader, Shah said he does not want the appointment of CEC to be controversial, which is why he was meeting leaders of political parties to reach a consensus.
“Both of us (the PPP and PTI) believe last year’s elections were not fair and we want to make the ECP an independent and impartial institution,” he said.
Since August last year, 13 Supreme Court judges have served as acting CECs. The apex court, in its last hearing pertaining to the matter, asked the government to appoint a permanent CEC, otherwise they would withdraw their judge from performing as acting CEC.
If both the prime minister and opposition leader fail to agree on one name then Article 213 is applicable, which states that both shall send three names each to a parliamentary committee for the appointment of the CEC.
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