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September 11, 2026
PM Shehbaz Invites Achakzai for CEC Consultations
Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai for consultations on appointing a new Chief Election Commissioner.
A source close to the prime minister confirmed the invitation on Thursday. However, Achakzai has not yet responded to the invitation. The move could open a channel for talks between the government and the opposition. It also comes weeks before the PTI-led long march planned for September 27.
Earlier, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq called for political harmony and stability. He urged the prime minister to begin dialogue with the opposition. He suggested starting the process through consultations on the new election commissioner. Meanwhile, the PTI has not publicly commented on the prime minister’s invitation. A senior party leader also declined to comment when contacted about the development.
The five-year term of incumbent CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja ended on January 26, 2025. Raja has remained controversial among PTI supporters since the party’s government was removed in April 2022. Critics also accused him of denying PTI its election symbol before the 2024 general elections. They argued that the decision affected the party’s electoral position and reserved-seat allocation.
The Constitution requires the prime minister to consult the opposition leader before forwarding names for the CEC position. The prime minister must send three names to a parliamentary committee for consideration. The committee includes equal representation from government and opposition benches. It has 12 members, with one-third coming from the Senate. If both leaders fail to reach consensus, they can submit separate lists for consideration.
Earlier in August, Achakzai himself urged the prime minister to appoint a new CEC. He also called for appointments to the vacant positions representing Sindh and Balochistan. The terms of the CEC and two ECP members ended on January 26, 2025. The Constitution required replacements within 45 days of the vacancies. However, the 26th Amendment allows the officials to continue until successors take charge. The latest invitation could now begin the long-delayed consultation process. - Daily Times
Courtesy Daily Times
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