Achakzai writes to PM Shehbaz, urges to begin process for appointment of new CEC, ECP members

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai on Monday formally wrote a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urging him to initiate the constitutional process for appointing a new chief election commissioner (CEC) and members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

“Article 213(2A) mandates that the prime minister, in consultation with the leader of the opposition in the NA, shall forward three names for the appointment of the chief election commissioner to a Parliamentary Committee for hearing and confirmation. Meanwhile, Article 218(2)(b) mandates that the appointment of ECP members from each province shall follow the same procedural requirement of consultation between the prime minister and the leader of the opposition under Article 213,” Achakzai stated in his letter to PM Shehbaz.

The chief of the opposition coalition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP) further said that the statutory tenures of the CEC, as well as the ECP members representing Sindh and Balochistan, had expired on January 26, 2025.

“Ensuring the immediate filling of these key constitutional offices is essential for maintaining the operational continuity, independence and credibility of the commission,” he said.

He added that he would appreciate a meeting with the prime minister at the earliest convenience to finalise the nominations.

According to a statement issued by the TTAP on X, the alliance also held a high-level meeting chaired by Achakzai. The meeting was attended by Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Nasir Abbas, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, former senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai and Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry.

“The meeting discussed the country’s political and constitutional situation, economic and security crises, and other national issues, while the participants expressed concern over what they described as the government’s failure to adequately address the country’s political, economic and security challenges,” the statement said.

Achakzai told the participants that, in his capacity as leader of the opposition, he had formally written to the prime minister seeking the implementation of the constitutional procedure for appointing a new chief election commissioner and ECP members.

“The meeting also expressed concern over the existing election commissioner and ECP members continuing to perform their duties despite the completion of their constitutional terms. It said the prime minister’s failure to initiate the appointment process for new members was a matter of concern,” the statement said.

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The alliance said disputed and non-transparent elections were at the root of the country’s crises, arguing that an impartial and independent election commission was essential for ensuring free, fair and transparent elections.

According to the TTAP statement, the meeting also expressed serious concern over reports about the health of PTI founder Imran Khan.

“Imran was not merely a prisoner but a leader and guide for millions of Pakistanis and was currently in the custody of state institutions. Denial of access to his family for meetings and to his personal doctors for more than a year was highly concerning and condemnable,” it added.

The statement warned that the institutions holding Imran in custody would be fully responsible for his health and safety.

It called for Imran’s sisters to be allowed to meet him immediately and for his personal doctors to be granted access so that his health could be independently assessed. It also called for Imran to undergo a comprehensive medical examination at Al-Shifa Hospital under the supervision of his personal doctors and family members.

TTAP said it stood alongside PTI on the issue of Imran’s health and release, adding that joint efforts on what it described as an important national and political issue could be more effective.

“The meeting also stressed the importance of better coordination over the long march announced by PTI, while the alliance expressed hope that PTI would keep its leadership regularly informed about its future strategy and plans for the long march,” it added.

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The meeting also called for the immediate release of former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, his associates and all arrested Kashmiri protesters, and demanded effective measures to end the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.