Meeting Between Prime Minister and Opposition Leader Mehmood Achakzai Hits Snag Over CEC Appointment; Government Rejects Condition to Consult Incarcerated Party Founder
ISLAMABAD: The consultative process between the government and the opposition regarding the crucial appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commission members has hit a major deadlock.
The meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Opposition Leader Mehmood Achakzai, which was scheduled a few days ago, did not take place despite official attempts by the government to meet the leader.Although the government had made efforts to meet the leader, a meeting with PM Shehbaz Sharif and the Opposition Leader Mehmood Achakzai failed to take place even though the opposition leader requested to meet with the jailed PTI chief before holding talks with the premier, which the government was adamant.
The main points of the deadlock on CEC appointments.
Response to Government on its Stance on Constitutional Consultations: Government sources indicated that the government was not interested in a convicted person participating in the decision-making in the constitution. The officials pointed out that discussions regarding the appointment to the constitution must be confined to parliamentary norms in between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.
The Prime Minister has already sent two official letters to the opposition leader to kick off the consultation process of the vacant seats in the electoral watchdog.
Avoidance of Parliamentary Venues: In addition, it has been reported that Mehmood Achakzai has not been making any meetings in Parliamentary Venues or the Prime Minister’s Office, which is reportedly holding back constitutional developments and administrative appointments.