ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formally invited Opposition Leader Omar Ayub for consultations regarding the appointment of a new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
In a letter to Ayub, the PM noted that the terms of CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja and two ECP members—Nisar Durrani (Sindh) and Shah Jatoi (Balochistan)—expired on January 26, yet they continue serving under Article 215. The Constitution (Article 218) mandates parliamentary consensus for new appointments.
Under Article 213, the PM and opposition leader must propose three names jointly to the president. If no agreement is reached, a 12-member parliamentary committee (with equal opposition and treasury representation) will decide. The PTI has already challenged the delay in the Islamabad High Court, calling it unconstitutional.
With deep political divisions, this meeting could be a crucial step toward resolving the ECP leadership crisis.