72
Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim was, on Monday, appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) following a parliamentary consensus. The CEC was earlier appointed by the president, but under Article 213 of the Constitution, the prime minister in consultation with the opposition leader in the National Assembly is required to forward three names to the parliamentary committee for confirmation of one of them.
Justice (retired) Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim is an eminent Pakistani jurist, constitutional expert, senior advocate Supreme Court, former Federal Law Minister, former Attorney General of Pakistan, former judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and former Governor of Sindh. He was born on February 12, 1928 in Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat. Ebrahim attended the Gujrat Vidyapith and received an undergraduate degree in law in 1949. He also studied courses based on philosophy and attended lectures given by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. It is believed that his advocacy for non-violence and peace comes from Gandhi’s teachings.
In the year 1950, Ebrahim migrated to Pakistan and attended Sindh Muslim College. He received LLM degree and an honorary Juris Doctor in 1960 and later established his own law firm by the name of Fakhruddin G Ebrahim & Company.
Ebrahim also served as the Attorney General of Pakistan during Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s regime and later as the Governor of Sindh. In the March of 1981, he was amongst the very few judges who refused to take oath under Provincial Constitutional Order (PCO) drafted by General Zia-ul-Haq, along with Justice S. Anwarul Haq, Justice Maulvi Mushtaq Hussain and Justice Dorab Patel. The PCO not only negated the independence of the judiciary but also prolonged martial law by nullifying the effect of a judgment giving General Zia regime’s limited recognition.
The establishment of the Citizen Police Liaison Committee in 1989 remains one of Ebrahim’s prolific achievements.
In 1996, Ebrahim served as law minister in the caretaker cabinet of President Farooq Leghari, following the dismissal of the government of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
It is believed that Ebrahim always possessed positive sentiments for Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and has announced various verdicts in the favour of Pakistani sportsman including Saleem Malik, Shoaib Akhtar and Muhammad Asif.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (72) Closed
Jul 09, 2012 07:08pm
I am still wondering , how PPP was agreed on the name of Fakhrudin
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 02:43pm
BY profile seems like he is a clean and honest person BUT Will his honesty stop the electoral fraud being done at the polling stations, has he got vision to devise a corruption free mechanism for election day ensuring that " if i don't go for voting then i must be sure that my vote wont being used for someone else".
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 06:37pm
Considering his reputation,I wish him best of luck. May Allah bless him with courage and strength to fulfill his duty to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 07:55am
our bestw ishes and prayers are with him if he proves himself a non biased personality having no favour to bany part.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 01:35pm
He s the Best for pakistan .GOD Bless Him .
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 01:14pm
Yes! you my friend.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 06:32pm
I congratulate and wish success to the respected Mr. Fakharudin G. Ebrahim as the new Chief Election Commissioner. Congratulation to Government and Opposition forging consensus on this important issue. Best regards,
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 02:45pm
Congratulations It is awise decision in my opinion.I hope and pray that he will not fail the nation
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 02:45pm
with this commendable profile it is hoped that he would hold free and fair elections.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 02:45pm
Honest, bold and untainted high profile person like Mr. Fakhruddin G Ibrahim is hard to find in Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 08:24pm
I am speechless to comments on his appointment.excellent decision.
may God give him power to fulfill his duty.
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 01:03pm
He carries great credentials and one should be hopefully sanguine that he will monitor the upcoming Pakistani Elections as an Impeccable Referee without any tilts and warps !
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 07:22pm
congulate to him
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 07:23pm
How did Zardari allow this to happen? There has to be something wrong here. If this is indeed this news is true, then it is perhaps the only thing this pathetic excuse of a government has done right. PAKSITAN ZINDABAD.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 07:36pm
yes i agree, he has completed 84 years of his age, May Allah bless him with courage and strength to fulfill his duty to the satisfaction of all concerned. Let us hope for the best
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 11:53am
Was expecting something exlcusive from Dawn in the profile.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 07:54pm
Agreed!
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 08:09pm
Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim is the brother of still a greater person Fida Husein G. Ebrahim who was an excellent Architecture as Fakhru Bhai has been an excellent lawyer. Both of them belong to a very great family of Ahmadabad , a very respectable one. Fida sahib has expired but his footprints are still there, Hamid his son. Fakhruddin Sahib is the character replica of Fida Sahib.
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 05:11pm
the appointment of Mr. Fakhruddin G Ibrahim as CEC of Pakistan is step in the right direction. His appointment as CEC will boost people's confidence in the electoral process. he is a man of integrity, beyond doubt...
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 07:13pm
Mark my words:If the opposition lose the election, the honest man Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim. will be blamed for the rest of his life.
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 05:26pm
Now let us hope for the best future of Pakistan. We are lucky that We Pakistani (Character assasination nation) hope for his respect, honour and dinity of this celebrity.
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 05:32pm
Indeed, it is a tribute to FGE that not a single contributor to these comments had anything adverse to say about him except expressing some reservations about his age. I pray that Allah SBT Grants to FGE all the health and courage he needs in performance and deliverance of justice to Pakistan's distressed millions, if PPP really has Election on its doable list.
I am sure Mr FGE will purge the Voter's List so that 50% of votes are not cast on behal of those in their graves nor those who sell their balllots for paltry sums as has happened in all Elections except the one in 1971 in General Yahya's regime.
Recommend
0
Jul 11, 2012 03:40am
Institutions in Pakistan needs sincere and honest persons.Ebrahin is one of the best figure in Pakistani history .
But it is alarming for the rest that we are losing honest people with great speed.As our universities are destroying education we need to improve education quality.....
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 04:29pm
Blocks are all fitting in properly with time. The stage is getting set for IK.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 03:24pm
He must abandon his past loyalties with PPP, in the larger interest of Pakistan. Our prayers for his undisputed success.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 03:36pm
It is a best selection. May Almighty Allah bless him courage to give a hope to the depressed & dejected Nation
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 04:05pm
Imported from Gujrat India,the soil there, is rich for philantrophysts
Gandhi, Jinnah, Vallab Patel, Ibrahim Rehmatullah and so on
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 03:30pm
I can only pray for his success in discharging his assignment with dignity and honour.
Recommend
0
Jul 11, 2012 02:13am
He is cultured, polished,highly educated and a real gentleman of Aala zarf. May Allah (swt) Bless him to guide Pakistanis.
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 10:57pm
Has the writer properly verified the names of the judges who did not take oath under Zia's PCO? For one, what about Justrice Haleem?
Recommend
0
Jul 11, 2012 02:17am
You P.M, manhoan singh.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 02:58pm
Let's hope he can deliver justice...! Or else, this appointment (and the failure to deliver free and fair elections) may negate all the good work he has done in his life.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 02:49pm
It is good achievement of democracy in Pakistan. A man of principle was propsed for CEC. Mr. Ebrahim has a excellent record of positive approach. Good luck Pakistan
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 11:05pm
Conducting the election especially in Pakistan is not any easy job. I am not questioning his honesty or impartiality here, but looking at Pakistan’s geographical landscape how an 85 year old can justify a fair election? Just counting of votes doesn’t mean a fair election. Will he be able to ask the President to resign before elections? Will he be able to establish an impartial caretaker setup? Will he be able to limit the influence of existing bureaucracy?
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 06:27pm
Good decision for Pakistan and democracy - difficult to imagine why our corrupt leaders would choose an upright man like him.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 06:11pm
The Best decision taken by the PPP. I pray Almighty Allah SWT to give him courage and give Pakistan right path.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 06:12pm
Excellent decision.......it looks certain that god almighty likes to save our beloved country....Pakistan zindabad.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 05:49pm
He is trust worthy to hold fair elections in the country.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 05:41pm
old is gold !
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 01:03pm
No doubt he is an honest man but at the age of 84, will he be able to perform his duties? CEC is more of an administrative job than judicial.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 03:24pm
A good news after a looooooong time.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 03:51pm
He is too old. Should've been a younger person. Am very pessimistic about this decision.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 05:09pm
hahaha for Godsake don't compare the too. Mr G Ebrahim is seriously a nice fellow :)
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 02:14pm
wow, impressive profile have some achievements in life not just highly educated, he uses his education and taking tough decision and implementing in a country like Pakistan.
Now there are 2 CJ & CEC who can make next election fair...
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 05:53pm
The few good people can change the national Ideology, and I believe this is a first step, and certainly Pakistan is not of that poor where we lose our hope because we still have a person like Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim , we may have many more like him, we just need to explore, any way I like the concensus on the issue of CEC. God bless us all.
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 01:06pm
For what PPP has done in past four and half years to the people and this land, that it shouldn't be sorted out?
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 10:01am
Last time we saw free and fair election was 1971...
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 03:19pm
In my view Mr. Fakharudin G Ebrahim is the best choice to become Chief Election Commissioner, at the time when the general elections are to be held in a free atmosphere. He has gigantic task to deliver as all the contesting parties do not have faith on each other especially on the sitting President . I admire the decision of the concerned authority for appointing the new CEC and thier intentions for holding the election in a fair way.
Aurangzeb H. Chowdhry
Rawalpindi.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 03:33pm
It is a best selection. May Almighty Allah bless him courage to give new hope to a depressed & dejected Nation.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 03:31pm
excellent ...PAKISTAN ZINDABAD
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 08:46am
Indeed he is a man of high profile I Congrats to President of Pakistan for bringing such a Nice personality. Hope he would do better to his best. May God bless Mr Fakharudin G. Ebrahim Newly appointed CEC.
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 08:57am
It's good to hear the appointment of Mr. Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim. His background shows that he is really an honest person who always tries to pursue the right path, teachings & right decisions. We hope that Mr. Ebrahim will serve as a neutral, with fully honesty to face the challenges like fair elections throughout Pakistan mainly in Karachi. I wish him all the best for his future endeavors.
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 02:28pm
Mr. Ebrahim is one of the very few no nonesense, non compromising, non controversial figures Pakistan has produced. Looking at the ways of our ever crooked politicians and the way Pakistan media have been behaving these days, it is hard to immagine that during or after elections (if held) his name will come out untainted. All the best to Mr. Ebrahim
Recommend
0
Jul 09, 2012 08:54pm
This could be proved as first ever positive step taken in the history of Pakistan. I wish him & my country a very good luck & pray for the success he could get in holding the forthcoming elections, free & fair, in Pakistan. Well done PPP, PML(N) & rest of the other parties who created consensus on such an houses person.
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 01:16am
He is a honest and thorough gentleman and true Pakistani. The whole nation wishes him well. He is now duty bound to conduct fair elections throughout Pakistan, specially Karachi as he knows very well what goes on there and rest of the country.
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 01:28am
congratulations to fakhruddin g. Ibrahim saheeb. It is the real examination for him to hold free and fair election in this corruption era. Too difficult but not impossible. May Allah Help him to save the country.
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 02:17am
Good Decision.
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 02:47am
Time will tell when Pakistani Media will react and comment on Mr. Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim, very soon after having election 2013. All the best Mr. FGE, but be aware of Pakistani the biased media.
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 03:49am
Kudos Nawaz Sharif for sticking to your national assembly seats and forcing something good from the govt. .
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 05:26am
One of the best political moves from Zardari. He delivered through Nawaz Sharif.
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 05:54am
Didnt the selection of Mr Ebrahim show that we have few good men? or we have stop producing good people.. if that is so its alarming..
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 06:07am
The newly appointed CEC is an ardent supporter of CJP and his nomination by the PMLN makes him a little pro PMLN. Lets hope he does not join hands with CJP to sort out the PPP.
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 06:22am
Anyone who doubts Fakhruddin's integrity is a fool.
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 06:24am
It was beyong my imagination that Mr. Zardari can deliver some good to Pakistani nation. But now I realize that he has the potential to deliver. This decision will for sure bear long term positive repurcussions on the political arean of Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 06:58am
With the appointment of Mr. Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim, the process of election itself, has started with the bright hopes for the future of pakistan. After a long time we have something to praise about Govt. decision.
May Allah bless pakistan.
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 06:59am
It is indeed a good news!
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 01:21pm
Old is Gold! He is the only one who can understand the value of your country (Pakistan), since he migrated to the Land of pures and worked hard and lived a principled life which most of you lack. I am hiring some thives, would you like to apply for this position and the good thing is this will provide you visa to United States of America!
Recommend
0
Jul 10, 2012 09:50am
Good voice of Mehdi Hassan from Rajasthan (India) and a good person like Fakhruddin G Ibrahim from Ahmedabad(India). Is there any thing good which originates from Pakistan ?
Recommend
0
Jul 11, 2012 05:03am
Thanks to Almighty Allah, we got some one who can lead us to fair n free elections... Salute the dignity of Mr. Ebrahim.
Recommend
0
Jul 11, 2012 07:13am
I believe that Justice (R) Ebrahim has the honesty and integrity for the appointment of CEC, but I believe that his age will play a factor in how things turn out. I personally believe that the government should have appointed someone like Rana Bhagwandas as CEC who has the same qualities as Mr. Ebrahim and can cope with the physical and mental pressures during the election. I am not criticizing Mr. Ebrahim in anyway but someone younger should have been appointed CEC.
Recommend
0
Jul 11, 2012 07:26am
old is gold when it comes to music, be realistic, we need energetic visionary and honest and authoritative person in the driving seat, i don't judge his honesty but you see fact is fact.,
Recommend
0
Jul 11, 2012 07:30am
he is an ex governer and fedral cabinat member of ppp cant he also be doubted that he cna be baised towards a party as linked to his past experiences. Secondly he is a person of greta honor so now will see his real test of nerves
Recommend
0
