By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan wrote a letter to Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif in which he proposed three names for the post of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Geo News reported on Friday. The prime minister stated in the letter that he was writing to Shehbaz so that “meaningful negotiations” could be held on the appointment of the new commissioner. The names of three former federal secretaries were suggested by the premier in the letter. These included Jamil Ahmed, Fazal Abbas Maken and Sikander Sultan Raja. PM Imran stated that he had written to Shehbaz so that the pending issue of appointment of a new CEC could be resolved. A day earlier, the government and opposition reached a consensus on names of ECP members from Sindh and Balochistan. Sources said the name of Nisar Durrani for the post of the ECP member from Sindh, which was proposed by the PPP and the name of Shah Mehmood Jatoi from Balochistan has been agreed between the government and opposition Now in the meeting of the Parliamentary committee, the name for the post of the Chief Election Commissioner likely to be finalised and all the names for the key posts would be announced simultaneously after reaching consensus. Meanwhile, The parliamentary committee has made some progress during a meeting to discuss names for the appointment of chief election commissioner (CEC) and members of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), sources said on Friday. Sources further said the federal government and opposition are likely to make consensus for Sikandar Sultan Raja for the position of chief election commissioner (CEC). It emerged that both sides have agreed on the names recommended for the vacant seats of ECP’s Sindh and Balochistan chapters, however, the name of CEC was undecided as the names of Babar Yaqoob and Fateh Muhammad were not withdrawn. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) made go-ahead for the person named for ECP Sindh chapter, whereas, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supported the name given by Jamiat Ulema-e- Islam Fazl (JUI-F) for ECP Balochistan chapter. Sources added the federal government is expected to formally withdraw Babar Yaqoob for CEC position as both sides are likely to make consensus over Sikandar Sultan Raja for the top post. The Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs said that the government and opposition made a detailed discussion on various matters. Azam Swati said some recommendations are still remaining in closed envelopes, however, the final decision will be taken on Monday. Earlier on January 1, the government and opposition have made progress for going ahead in the appointment of chief election commissioner (CEC) after ending the deadlock, citing sources, ARY News reported on Friday. The government and opposition leaders have decided to recommend new names for CEC post and withdrew all previous names, sources said. Both sides will send new names to the parliamentary committee and a session is also scheduled next week to review the proposed names.
