‘No deadlock on ECP members’ appointment’

Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry has dispelled the impression that there is a deadlock between the government and opposition on the question of the appointment of the provincial members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), claiming that the government is open to dialogue.

“The impression is not correct that there is a deadlock in the appointment of ECP members between the government and the opposition,” Chaudhry said on Tuesday in a series of Twitter posts.

“According to the Constitution, the Prime Minister [Imran Khan] will seek the opinion of the Leader of the Opposition [Shehbaz Sharif] on this issue. Imran Khan’s struggle is for establishing a transparent system,” he added.

The minister said the government also wants to move forward with an open heart on electoral reforms and amending the laws that govern the top graft buster, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). “We want consensus in the parliament on major issues.

Stability of the political system lies in respect for the Constitution. A consensus on election laws, accountability and national security will give stability to the system,” Chaudhry said.