LAHORE, May 24: PML-N leader and opposition leader in the National Assembly Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan contacted Jamaat-i-Islami’s Secretary General, Liaqat Baloch by telephone on Thursday and apprised him of the progress of the parliamentary committee set up for the appointment of the chief election commissioner.

According to a press release, the leader of the opposition told the JI leader that he wanted to suggest a panel for the CEC in consultation with the opposition parties outside the assembly. He further said that the PML-N wanted to propose the names of Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid retired, Justice Fakhrud Din G. Ibrahim retired and the present acting CEC Justice Shakirullah Jan, for the office of the CEC.

Mr Baloch told the PML-N leader that, in principle, the JI had no objection to the names. He said that a free and impartial elections were possible only under an interim government set-up with national consensus and the electoral lists must be made error free and the Election Commission must be a completely impartial and independent institution.

Meanwhile, acting British High Commissioner Ms Alison Black called on Mr Baloch at a local hotel on Thursday and discussed with him the international scene with special reference to the situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The JI secretary general told the British diplomat that it was the unanimous view of the Pakistani nation that the government policies after the 9/11 had proved wrong and Pakistan must pull out of the war instead of entering into another war.

He further said that Britain and Saudi Arabia could play an effective role in bringing stability to Afghanistan and enabling the Afghan people to work out a political system of their liking. He said that the JI would continue its efforts for ending the foreign interference in the region.