Telephonic contact: Khursheed Shah, PM Nawaz discuss appointment of CEC

Sources says PPP leader expressed his point of view regarding SC deadline

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah discussed the appointment of chief election commissioner (CEC) on Wednesday via telephone, Express News reported.

According to sources, Shah expressed his point of view regarding the Supreme Court deadline.

The top court on October 14 gave the federal government two weeks to appoint a permanent CEC, or else it will withdraw its judge, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, who is currently serving as acting CEC.

The government and the opposition wish to keep the post vacant until the parliamentary committee on electoral reforms completes its work.

Following the 18th constitutional amendment, the prime minister must consult the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly and reach a consensus on a nominee for the position. In case they fail to agree on one name, both must propose three names each to a specially constituted parliamentary committee which can then pick out one name.

The ruling PML-N and the opposition PPP held several rounds of talks on the matter last year and earlier this year. Minister of Finance Ishaq Dar heads the 33-member parliamentary committee on electoral reforms and had been involved in these talks with Shah on behalf of the prime minister. During these consultations, many names, including that of Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, came up for consideration. However, the process came to an abrupt end. The Supreme Court has now given the government two weeks to complete the process.

A similar deadline was given earlier this year when the court asked the government to fill all important vacant posts, including that of CEC, by March this year.

Since the appointment of CEC comes under constitutional provisions, any changes would require an amendment to the Constitution, requiring a two-thirds approval from the National Assembly and Senate, separately.