Islamabad :
Rejecting the impression of deadlock between the opposition and the government over the appointment of members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry said that Prime Minister Imran Khan will consult with Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif in accordance with the Constitution.
However, the federal minister ruled out direct consultation between the two leaders, saying it might be through correspondence.
The federal minister’s statement came at a time when political and legal circles are discussing the appointment of members of the Election Commission of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after their retirement on July 26 at the end of their five-year term.
In 2019, Prime Minister Imran Khan had refused to consult the Leader of the Opposition directly on the issue of appointment of members of the Election Commission of Sindh and Balochistan, which led to a 45-day Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. Couldn’t make appointment in time.
Talking to Dawn, the Information Minister once again ruled out direct consultation between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition and said that it was not necessary. Fawad Chaudhry said that there are many types of consultation and It can also be done through correspondence as before.
On the other hand, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Vice President Sherry Rehman demanded from the Prime Minister that the process of appointment of Election Commission members be completed within 45 days after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition in accordance with the Constitution.
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In a statement, Sherry Rehman said that a one-year delay in the appointment of ECP members from Sindh and Balochistan was unconstitutional.
He said that similarly the government had not taken care of the constitutional provisions regarding the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner. In a democracy, appointments in important constitutional institutions are made by consensus of the government and the opposition.
However, the federal minister dismissed the opposition’s concerns over the delay in the appointment of ECP members, saying that Prime Minister Imran Khan was fighting for a transparent electoral system and that a strong election commission with the confidence of all parties would be formed. It is in the interest of the country.
Fawad Chaudhry further said that the government also wants to move forward with open heart on the laws related to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and electoral reforms, we want consensus in parliament on major issues, stability of political system with respect to the constitution. Is attributed.
Under the constitution, the Election Commission consists of one member from each of the four provinces and the Chief Election Commissioner, and the vacancies must be filled within 45 days.
