ISLAMABAD: As the ruling PML-N gears up efforts to fill the vacant post of chief election commissioner (CEC) under the Supreme Court order, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf rejected on Friday all nominees of the government and the opposition, except retired Justice Rana Bhagwandas, and proposed the name of retired Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid for the slot.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has also thrown its weight behind Justice Bhagwandas, but he cannot hold the office of CEC because of a legal hitch.

Since Justice Bhagwandas had served as chairman of the Federal Public Service Commission, he cannot hold any other government or constitutional office under the law.

However, the government can carry out fresh legislation to remove the legal hitch for his appointment.

After a meeting with Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Ahmed Shah on Friday, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi proposed the name of Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid.

The post of CEC has been lying vacant for 16 months after retired Justice Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim voluntarily tendered his resignation in July last year amidst allegations of rigging and irregularities in the general elections by almost all political parties.

“We reserve the right to oppose any of the names proposed by the prime minister and the leader of opposition,” Mr Qureshi told journalists after the meeting.

On Thursday, Khursheed Shah called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the two sides proposed five names — retied Justices Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui, Rana Bhagwandas, Mian Muhammad Ajmal and Tariq Pervez Khan.

However, Justice Jillani and Justice Tariq Pervez are seen as strong contenders for the CEC office.

It is believed that the PTI will oppose all nominees of the PML-N and PPP. It had opposed the appointment of Chaudhry Qamar Zaman as Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) last year.

Mr Qureshi said the PTI had suggested the name of Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid because of his good reputation and intellect.

He is also highly respected in the legal fraternity.

On the other hand, he alleged, the government had suggested the names of those who had political affiliations.

In reply to a question, the PTI leader said his party had earlier called for overhaul of the Election Commission of Pakistan. “Our demand for removal of all sitting members of the ECP is still valid and alive because we believe that no future election can be held in a fair, free and transparent manner unless the entire Election Commission is revamped,” he said.

“The sustainability of elections relies on the impartiality of the CEC as well as the commission and all political parties agree that a clean election is of vital importance to democracy.”

Mr Qureshi was of the opinion that the 2013 elections were not fair and transparent and said a transparent election was crucial for democracy to function smoothly.

He praised Khursheed Shah for consulting the PTI on the issue of appointment of CEC, although there was no constitutional obligation on him.

Asked about the allegations of corruption PTI Chairman Imran Khan had levelled against Mr Shah and that he was facing two corruption cases in NAB, Mr Qureshi said: “Earlier the PTI had same thoughts about Mr Shah, but when he himself contradicted such allegations, our party is reconsidering his claim.”

Speaking on the occasion, Khursheed Shah said he had met the PTI vice chairman to complete the consultative process on the appointment of CEC. “PTI gave me the name of retired Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid for the post and I will convey it to the prime minister,” he said.

Mr Shah said that previously he had himself suggested the name of Mr Bhagwandas, but since he had served as FPSC chairman, he could not hold any other government or constitutional office under the law. He said the former judge had himself stated that he did not want the government and the opposition to change the law only to benefit an individual.

Mr Shah said he had discussed the names with a number of leaders of opposition parties, including Qaumi Watan Party chief Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, and also held telephonic conversations with Jamaat-i-Islami Emir Sirajul Haq, MQM parliamentary leader Dr Farooq Sattar, Awami National Party President Asfandyar Wali Khan and Ghazi Gulab Jamal from Fata.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday asked Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid to contact parliamentary parties for a consensus on the names proposed by him.

On Oct 30, the Supreme Court ordered that the office be filled by Nov 13; otherwise it would withdraw its judge currently serving as acting CEC.

APP adds: Pervaiz Rashid contacted JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Sirajul Haq, National Party leader Hasil Bazenjo, MQM leaders Haider Abbas Rizvi and Babar Khan Ghauri, Aftab Sherpao and ANP’s Haji Adeel and informed them about the ongoing consultations between the prime minister and leader of the opposition and the names being considered for the post of CEC.

Published in Dawn, November 8th , 2014