Govt, opposition likely to resolve ECP appointments’ issue

ISLAMABAD: The government and opposition moving inches towards breaking the deadlock on the name of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) as opposition claimed that the government agreed to bring new names for this post and hopeful to come out with a name in a next meeting expected to be held on January 17 (Friday).

But in major development, the opposition claimed that both the sides agreed on the names for the members of the Election Commission of Pakistan from Sindh and Balochistan while the government will bring new names for the CEC.

The meeting of the parliamentary committee on the appointment of CEC and members of the Election Commission of Pakistan was held with the chair of its chairperson Dr Shireen Mazari on Tuesday.

According to sources, the government has withdrawn the name of its nominee and ex-secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad and will bring the new name in the meeting of parliamentary committee scheduled to be held again on Friday.

Sources said it was also decided to seek another extension from the Islamabad High Court today (Wednesday) to decide the key appointments in the ECP. Sources said the opposition has indicated to the government that it was ready to accept any other new name from the government for the post of CEC.

Sources said after the government has withdrawn the name of Babar Yaqoob for the post of CEC, another government nominee Fazal Abbas Mekan became hot contender for the post. However, sources said the final decision would be taken after the government brought his new name in Friday meeting of the committee.

While talking to newsmen after the meeting, former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said that the government and opposition agreed on the names of the two members of the ECP while the consensus yet to be reach on the name of the CEC.

The former prime minister said it was decided that both—government and opposition—will bring the revise lists for the post of CEC with proposing ether one or two names in Friday meeting.

Senator Mushahidullah Khan of the PML-N told the newsmen after the meeting that the government and opposition were close to settle the issue with reaching a consensus on the key appointments in the ECP. “It is expected that matter would be resolve in the next meeting of the parliamentary committee,” he said.

He said no consensus was made on the name of government nominee for the CEC and government will come out with the alternative nomination. “I am hopeful that consensus could be made on the new name that would be proposed by the government for the Chief Election Commissioner,” he said.

Senator Mushahidullah Khan said parliamentary leader of the PML-N Khawaja Asif also attended the meeting as the delay has already been caused on this matter and now the efforts were being made from both side to settle this issue at the Parliament instead of the court. “We are very close to sort out this issue and expected to reach on any decision in next meeting after little more discussion,” he said.