A photo of Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai. SCREENGRAB
ISLAMABAD:
A major obstacle in the appointment of a new CEC and two ECP members may be resolved soon, as PTI-backed Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai has agreed to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to fulfil the constitutional requirement.
The appointment process has remained stalled after Achakzai’s predecessor, Omar Ayub, declined to meet the prime minister, preventing the mandatory consultation from taking place.
But, the recently notified leader of the opposition in the lower house of parliament is ready to respond positively to the government’s move to appoint the long-delayed new CEC and two ECP members while the incumbent regime too is ready to initiate the process, according to government officials and opposition members.
When contacted, TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai confirmed the development.
Speaking to The Express Tribune in Islamabad on Thursday, he said that if the prime minister extends an invitation regarding the appointment of ECP members, both PTI and Mahmood Khan Achakzai would respond positively.
“If an offer is made by the prime minister, a meeting is called and we are invited, we will take it positively,” he said. “We want the election commission to stand on its own feet. For transparency in the election process, all political parties should sit together and discuss the matter. From our side, there will be no obstacle at all. In fact, we are waiting for such a step so that matters related to the election commission can move forward and the country can move towards free and fair elections in the future.”
Asked whether PTI is on board, Yousafzai said PTI and TTAP were separate entities but added Achakzai had the backing of Imran Khan and whatever decision he makes will be accepted by all.
SAPM Huzaifa Rehman confirmed to The Express Tribune that the prime minister would soon invite Achakzai for the key constitutional appointments.
He said consultations on the appointment of ECP members would be carried out strictly in accordance with constitutional requirements, and the process would proceed only afterward.
Rehman noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had attempted to initiate consultations earlier as well, but the process was blocked when Omar Ayub declined to attend the meeting. “Now, the premier will again invite the concerned parties according to the memorandum, and it is hoped that very positive results will be seen in the coming days,” he said.
He added that Achakzai could also write directly to the prime minister, terming the matter an important constitutional issue. “If he wishes to discuss it, he can formally correspond with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif so that immediate action can be taken on these proposals,” Rehman said.
According to the Constitution, the prime minister is required to initiate the appointment process through consultation with the leader of the opposition.
The premier had formally invited then opposition leader Omar Ayub to begin consultations, but the latter refused to meet him and instead asked the National Assembly speaker to constitute a parliamentary committee.
However, under the constitutional framework, the parliamentary committee cannot be formed until consultations between the prime minister and the leader of the opposition are completed.
