ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah discussed with Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday his proposals of one-year reduction in the term of parliament and appointment of bureaucrats and lawyers as chief election commissioner.

The maulana, who earlier in the day had met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, told Mr Shah that he would respond to the proposals after discussing them at his party’s Central Shura.

The JUI-F is part of the ruling coalition and the leader of opposition is not morally or legally bound to consult it on the issue of CEC’s appointment. But a source close to Mr Shah said that he had decided to consult all parties in an effort to complete the process with national consensus.

Know more: Shah proposes four-year tenure for government

Talking to Dawn, JUI-F spokesman Jan Achakzai said that Mr Shah had taken Maulana Fazl into confidence over the issue of CEC’s appointment and even discussed some possible names. Mr Achakzai said the JUI-F had so far not proposed any name for the post.

He said the leader of opposition also briefed the JUI-F chief about his proposal of reducing the tenure of parliament from five to four years. He said Maulana Fazl had assured Mr Shah that he would come up with a “positive response” to the proposals.

Mr Shah had suggested on Tuesday an amendment to the Constitution to make senior bureaucrats and lawyers eligible for appointment as the CEC.

He had earlier met Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and PTI leaders on Monday to discuss the issue of CEC’s appointment.

Mr Shah is of the view that all issues and political disputes will come to an end if the term of the government is reduced to four years. However, he said, the PML-N government should be allowed to complete its five-year term and the proposed amendment should become effective from the next general elections.

Earlier, the JUI-F chief discussed with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif the progress of the military operation in North Waziristan and the condition of internally displaced persons living in camps at Bannu.

According to Mr Achakzai, the prime minister had assured the JUI-F chief that billions of rupees would be released for the IDPs, if needed.

Maulana Fazl, he said, had informed Mr Sharif that some IDPs had been detained in border areas of other provinces. He said the prime minister assured the JUI-F chief that they would be released immediately. Mr Sharif also said it would be ensured that the IDPs were not stopped from entering Punjab and Sindh, he added.

The JUI-F chief urged the prime minister to end loadshedding in Bannu.

The two leaders, he said, also discussed the prevailing political situation in the country.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2014