Appointing ECP members: Govt, opposition agree to stick to deadline

ISLAMABAD: Top representatives of the government and the opposition on Sunday agreed to appoint the members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) by July 25 -- when the constitutional timeframe of 45 days expires.

A crucial meeting will be held between Leader of the Opposition Khursheed Shah and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday (tomorrow).

On Sunday, both leaders met for the second time to discuss the matter at the residence of the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly in Islamabad.

According to a statement issued by the office of the opposition leader, both sides agreed that the appointments would be made on the basis of merit to ensure free and fair elections.

The last such meeting between the government and opposition was held on July 12.

Combined opposition have already finalised the names during consultations held on the matter.

The prime minister, in consultation with the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, will forward three names against each post to a 12-member parliamentary committee for formal endorsement.

If no consensus emerges between the PM and opposition leader, deliberations would be held on the names put forward by both the government and the opposition separately.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18^th, 2016.