ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed Federal Information Minister Pervez Rashid to inform and consult various heads of political parties regarding the appointment of the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). But it may not like the answer that it gets.
According to an official statement, Rashid on Friday contacted six political parties including Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders Haider Abbas Rizvi and Babar Ghauri, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Amir Sirajul Haq, National Party Leader Hasil Bazinjo, Awami National Party’s Haji Adeel and Qaumi Watan Party head Aftab Ahmed Sherpao.
Having already traded names of potential candidates for the ECO hot seat with the Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah on Thursday, the prime minister has now started a process of taking other political leaders into confidence on the matter.
The government had suggested three names for the post: Justice (retd) Rana Bhagwandas, Justice (retd) Tassaduq Hussain Jilani and Justice (retd) Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui.
Shah proposed names of Justice (retd) Mian Ajmal and Justice (retd) Tariq Pervez.
But, the feedback that the government has received so far from political parties suggests that none of the proposed names are feasible with at least one party having reservations against the proposed candidates.
Sources suggested that political parties considered Bhagwandas as unfeasible given his constitutional bar.
Siddiqi was rejected since he had consented to be the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s presidential candidate. Ajmal’s name was rejected as he had served as law secretary during Pervez Musharraf’s regime, while Tariq Pervez had served as caretaker chief minister in the previous tenure.
Further, the legal community has severe reservations against Jilani.
Almost all political parties have rejected Justice (retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid, who was suggested by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday. The parties believe that PTI named Zahid unilaterally – without taking either the leader of the opposition in the NA, and other political parties, in confidence.
Further, they believe Zahid, aged 80, is too old for the role. A similar objection was reserved for former CEC Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim.
Sources say political parties in the NA have asked both PPP and Rashid to contemplate five other names, adding that the heads of a few political parties had suggested that the name of Justice (retd) Shakirullah Jan should also be included.
The MQM, after a joint-meeting of its Karachi-London Rabita Committee on Friday, deliberated on four names for the CEC post. They backed Justice (retd) Zahid, Justice (retd) Jilani and Justice (retd) Bhagwan Das while additionally proposing the name of Justice (retd) Ghaus Muhammad.
