PM wants selection of two ECP members without consultation: Shahbaz

Published March 21, 2019
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif writes to NA Speaker calling the process ‘unconstitutional’. — AFP/File
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif writes to NA Speaker calling the process ‘unconstitutional’. — AFP/File

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan wants the appointment of the members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) from Sindh and Balochistan to be made without fulfilling mandatory constitutional requirement of consultation with opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif.

This was claimed in a letter written to National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser by the opposition leader, a copy of which is available with Dawn.

The letter said that the opposition leader received a notice on March 11, seeking to propose three names each for members of the ECP from Sindh and Balochistan.

“With reference to the notice dated March 11, 2019, the referral of three names to the parliamentary committee for the appointment of the Election Commission of Pakistan members from Balochistan and Sindh is a violation of Article 213, clause (2A) of the Constitution as the Prime Minister has failed to consult Leader of the Opposition on the issue,” the letter said. “The meeting of the said parliamentary committee cannot be called till the required consultative process as enshrined in the Constitution has been completed”, it added.

Opposition leader writes to NA Speaker calling the process ‘unconstitutional’

Under Articles 213 and 218 of the Constitution, the prime minister in consultation with the opposition leader forwards three names for the appointment of a CEC or commission member to a parliamentary committee for hearing and confirmation of one name.

In case a consensus cannot be reached between the prime minister and the opposition leader, the law says that each will forward separate lists to the parliamentary committee for finalisation of names.

National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser had constituted a bipartisan parliamentary committee for the appointment of chief election commissioner (CEC) and ECP members even before the retirement of the two members. The 12-member committee had also elected Human Rights Minister Dr Shireen Mazari as its chairperson. However, the parliamentary panel can act only after it receives either consensus or separate lists from the prime minister and opposition leader.

Members from Sindh and Balochistan Abdul Ghaffar Soomro and retired Justice Shakeel Baloch had retired on January 26 and their replacements under the constitution should have been appointed by March 12.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Window dressing
Updated 17 Jun, 2025

Window dressing

Meanwhile, the provinces lack the resources and expertise to implement adaptation measures effectively.
No revenue effort
17 Jun, 2025

No revenue effort

WITH the ruling PML-N’s next budget unfolding large infrastructure schemes, and expenditure focusing on service...
Pomp and circumstance
17 Jun, 2025

Pomp and circumstance

THE sight of columns of tanks rolling down a boulevard, accompanied by troops goose-stepping in lockstep, was a...
Close the gap
Updated 16 Jun, 2025

Close the gap

Our imbalanced scorecard in the main shows that power development and prosperity reflect the shallowness of political claims.
Fiscal malfeasance
16 Jun, 2025

Fiscal malfeasance

IT is galling that, even in these times of economic distress, when hardship has pushed millions of ordinary...
Rochdale conviction
16 Jun, 2025

Rochdale conviction

THE recent conviction of seven men in the Rochdale grooming gang case is a hard-won moment of justice. The men, ...