According to an official statement, Rashid on Friday contacted six political parties including Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders Haider Abbas Rizvi and Babar Ghauri, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Amir Sirajul Haq, National Party Leader Hasil Bazinjo, Awami National Party’s Haji Adeel and Qaumi Watan Party head Aftab Ahmed Sherpao.
Having already traded names of potential candidates for the ECO hot seat with the Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah on Thursday, the prime minister has now started a process of taking other political leaders into confidence on the matter.
The government had suggested three names for the post: Justice (retd) Rana Bhagwandas, Justice (retd) Tassaduq Hussain Jilani and Justice (retd) Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui.
Shah proposed names of Justice (retd) Mian Ajmal and Justice (retd) 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 suggested that political parties considered Bhagwandas as unfeasible given his constitutional bar.
Siddiqi 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.
Further, the legal community has severe reservations against Jilani.
Almost all political parties have rejected Justice (retd) 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.
Further, they believe Zahid, aged 80, is too old for the role. A similar objection was reserved for former CEC Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim.
Sources say political parties in the NA have asked both PPP and Rashid to contemplate five other names, adding that the heads of a few political parties had suggested that the name of Justice (retd) Shakirullah Jan should also be included.
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 (retd) Zahid, Justice (retd) Jilani and Justice (retd) Bhagwan Das while additionally proposing the name of Justice (retd) Ghaus Muhammad.
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@insta: Good article. But it should have also said let the Government function and let the nation progress and another advice should have been to confine the protests to reasonable limits without taking the nation hostage. IK has given hope to the people but since no concrete reforms are coming since he frittered away his negotiation position and the acceptance of his demands due to his rigidity on PM's resignation, which he did not achieve. Had he relented on this demand and got the other five implemented, the whole country would have seen concrete achievements and the hope he created would have sustained.
Upper age limit for CEC should be not more than 70-75 years. We have seen that an 85 year old, even if honest and dedicated, is not physically fit to keep a strong check.
Chief Justices of supreme court in Pakistan are considered to be men of very high caliber,extremely honest ,impartial,competent professionally They decide cases strictly on merit but when one of them is to be picked up as chairman election commission their integrity and impartiality comes under question.That means our judges of highest courts are biased and not honest to act as CEC.
@Salman Hasan: Its now constitutional requirement that head of CEC can only be a former judge
The whole exercise is pretty useless to consult one zees and two zees parties. There is no chance to come to any conclusion as there will always be someone whom a party will disagree. The consensus should be between the government and opposition leader with input from PTI as they have more votes than PPP. Rest of the parties don't count.
http://lightonthis.com/a-mini-national-revolution-leading-ways-out-to-naya-pakistan-pti-dharna/
read
PTI, PPP and MQM wanting to hold the system hostage again? What else is new? The last two will be brought around with a greasing of the palms. The first will remain a spoil sport sore loser.
I don't understand why these parties are recommending retired, old judges of the Supreme Court. Can't they find one competent, honest, dedicated, young and energetic loyal Pakistani? Is that so hard for these parties to find competent people? How can an old retired 80 plus years old judge will be better equipped with new and latest ideas of electoral reforms. Come on people, stop coming up with another Muk Muka candidate.
If NS was really smart, he would appoint Justice(r) Nasir Aslam Zahid as elections would still be won by the party that performs best. And, although PTI is a crowd-puller its supporter are not concentrated in constituencies to give it a sufficient majority, anyway. I, mean, PTI support being more diffuse does not translate into winning elections from a number of constituencies. Maybe, electoral reforms should include NA representation on the basis of votes on an overall national basis and thus PTI is more likely to perform better.