National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has declined to unilaterally constitute a parliamentary committee for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) from Sindh and Balochistan. His decision comes in response to a letter from Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub, who had suggested six names from the opposition for the proposed committee.
In a written reply, Speaker Sadiq made it clear that the formation of the committee requires mutual consultation between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. He stressed that the process will only begin after both leaders submit their respective nominations.
“Only after receiving formal nominations from both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition will the names of parliamentary leaders be requested to complete the committee’s composition,” Sadiq stated.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had initiated the consultation process by sending a letter to Omar Ayub on May 16, seeking input on the key appointments. However, neither side has exchanged any formal names since then.
The pending appointments concern the Chief Election Commissioner and two ECP members representing Sindh and Balochistan, positions critical for the commission’s proper functioning ahead of electoral preparations.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has withdrawn its judicial reference against the current Chief Election Commissioner, signaling a possible thaw in political tensions surrounding the electoral body.
Speaker Sadiq reiterated that constitutional processes must be followed and that appointments of such importance must be made through consensus to ensure transparency and legitimacy.
