The ECP will now reconvene again on Sunday morning to finalise a name for the caretaker premier.
Express News correspondent Muhammad Bilal said that ECP member Roshan Isani, who was unable to travel to Islamabad during the day, will be reaching the capital later on Saturday evening. Bilal added that Isani was unable to take a morning flight due to a commitment. However, attempts to get on an afternoon flight were unsuccessful. He is now expected to board an evening flight to reach the federal capital.
During their meetings on Saturday, Justice Riaz Kayani said that the ECP reviewed proposed candidates for the interim prime minister slot.
Earlier, the first round of talks at the ECP ended without a decision.
The decision could not be taken in the first round due to the absence of the Sindh election commissioner, who will leave for Islamabad from Karachi at 7pm today.
Secretary ECP Ishtiaq Ahmed told the media that the decision will be taken by tonight after the meeting resumes or by tomorrow “at any cost”.
The meeting was headed by Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G Ebrahim.
The commission, under the constitutional provisions, had 48 hours to agree on a candidate after the eight-member parliamentary committee failed to reach a consensus despite holding three meetings on consecutive days.
The ECP has to choose from the four nominees put forward by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N).
The PPP had proposed the names of Dr Ishrat Husain and Justice (retd) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso. PML-N’s nominees are Justice (retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid and Rasool Bux Paliejo.
COMMENTS (9)
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@Abdullah: @gulmetlo: I agree with you there is no concept or tradition of "caretaker govt" in any of the democratic countries from the oldest democracy USA to the largest India and the UK. The elected govt is trusted and the will of the voters is respected by all losing parties. In the Islamic Republic nobody trusts the other and everybody calls the other dishonest and cheat. While in Pakistan everybody and party calls the others dishonest and liars when the world says this we get upset. Regards, M
Why do we have such a biased bunch of commentators on ET? The Sindh EC was not able to attend because his flight was cancelled on account of bad weather in Islamabad not due to some personal agenda.
It seems a certain section of Pakistani society refuses to let go of ethnic biases.
Roshan Isani had a meeting with the PPP today.... something fishy!
ECP, being an independent body and a responsible entity, will fulfil the duty it has been assigned by the Constitution. For several Constitutional matters regarding Commission, the majority among five votes is required, and hence ECP member from Sindh is one vote, however, the Election laws also explain that in absence of a member whereas the decision of Commission is inevitable or mandatory, the Commission can go with four votes instead of five, and decision can be made with majority of those four votes. Thus, no body needs worry about presence or absence of ECP Member Sindh, Mr Roshan Esani. Even if he does not attend the meeting, the ECP can make decision regarding the Care-Taker Prime Minister. And, Mr Elcay, we should not point fingers at any body without knowing much about him/her or without having any stable proofs against him/her. This is unethical. Should I say Chief Justice Of Lahore High Court was pro-Punjab or pro-Nawaz when he declared that 'Kalabagh dam' should be constructed at any cost, an issue on which every dweller of Sindh has serious reservations? Mr Justice Isani has a vote as a member of ECP from Sindh, thus he has every right to use it for or against any one just like you have the right to cast your vote in favour of any one. Sahito Zaheer Election Officer Khairpur
Caretaker setup is not a norm in democratic countries. Bangladesh tried it for few elections. It was failure now they do not go for caretaker setups. Election Commission should be strong, independent and impartial.
i dont get concept of care taker prime minister do USA & UK have care take prime minister whey they are going to elcetions.
How quickly the whole parliament approved amendments to constitution and approve bills which were benefiting them directly. the country is in limbo with no responsible head of state and these few politicians can't agree on single person who can look after this country to three months. And great Sindhi election commissioner didn't join the meeting, isn't it the job of chief election commissioner to make sure everyone is present before the meeting starts.
I am sure that by tomorrow ECP will be able to nominate the care-taker Prime Minister.
It seems that is is difficult to nominate a care-taker Prime Minister fir a short-term, rather than electing a Prime Minister for straight five years.