Setting the record straight: PML-N distances itself from G-B CEC

Says decision was taken on recommendations of G-B Assembly.

GILGIT:

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has distanced itself from the appointment of Justice (retd) Tahir Ali Shah as Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B)’s chief election commissioner (CEC).

Earlier, on Saturday, stakeholders, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), challenged the appointment of the G-B’s chief election commissioner (CEC) in the Supreme Court. PTI MPA Ghulam Sarwar insisted Shah was an unsuitable candidate for the job because he is closely associated with the PML-N.

Speaking to journalists in Gilgit on Tuesday, the party’s regional chief Hafeezur Rahman insisted Shah had not been appointed solely on the PML-N’s recommendations.



“The decision was taken on the recommendations of the G-B Assembly,” Rahman added, referring to the previous assembly which was dominated by Pakistan Peoples Party lawmakers.

According to the regional chief, Shah had not only been associated with the PML-N. On the contrary, he had also been a member of Pakistan Muslim League- Quaid (PML-Q) during former president Pervez Musharraf’s government. “Shah is a reasonable candidate for many reasons,” said Rahman. “He is an honest official who belongs to G-B.”

According to Rahman, the appointment of a non-local as CEC in 2009 had sparked a wave of dissatisfaction and criticism across G-B.

Shah, who took oath as G-B’s CEC in Islamabad on December 5, belongs to Khaplu, the headquarters of Ghanche district.

An interim arrangement

Rahman pressed the federal government to increase the number of ministers in the caretaker set-up from three to seven.

“We have suggested this to federal government in order to ensure representation of every district in the interim set-up,” the PML-N’s regional chief said.

Rahman also voiced concern over suggestions by politicians that elections should be held in September 2015. He insisted the ideal time for G-B elections is either April or May.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday appointed Sher Jahan Mir as the region’s caretaker chief minister after making amendments in Gilgit-Baltistan Self-governance and Empowerment Order 2009. He is appointed as caretaker chief minister to hold the next elections of the legislative assembly.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2014.