ISLAMABAD: A day ahead of the apex court's deadline, the parliamentary committee for the appointment of the chief election commissioner (CEC) has agreed on the name of Justice Sardar Mohammad Raza Khan as the new CEC.
Senator Rafiq Rajwana of the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) who heads the committee made the announcement at a press conference in Islamabad.
Later, on the advice of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Mamnoon Hussain formally approved the appointment of Justice Khan as the new chief election commissioner of Pakistan. A notification has also been issued in this regard.
Sardar Raza Khan is expected to take oath of his new post on Friday.
During today's meeting of the parliamentary committee, Awami National Party (ANP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) agreed on the name of Justice Sardar Raza. PPP's Islamuddin Shaikh proposed the name of Justice Raza for the post and Senator Haji Adeel of the ANP seconded it. MQM's Farooq Sattar also agreed with the name along with committee members belonging to the PML-N, which led to the unanimous selection of Justce Sardar Raza.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahryar Afridi did not attend the meeting of the committee. PTI MNAs have refrained from attending meetings of the parliamentary committee since legislators from the party tendered their resignations en masse at the peak of the Islamabad sit-ins in August.
The announcement of Sardar Raza's name as CEC was made after the parliamentary committee held a meeting today (Thursday) to finalise the name before Friday – the deadline set by the Supreme Court to fill the key constitutional office which has been lying vacant for over 16 months.
Also read: CEC consultation
Justice Sardar Raza Khan, the incumbent Chief Justice of Federal Shariat Court, retired as judge of the Supreme Court in 2011. The 69-year-old was among the judges of the apex court who had refused to take oath under the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) after the imposition of emergency by then military ruler Pervez Musharraf in 2007.
Justice Raza, who belongs to Abbottabad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was also a member of the bench headed by then chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry which gave a decision in the famous NRO case. He was the only member who gave a “partial dissenting note”.
Similarly, while hearing a petition challenging the PCO, Justice Raza was also not in favour of issuing contempt of court notices to the judges who had taken oath under the PCO.
The appointment comes as the Supreme Court had warned the government it would withdraw on Dec 5 its judge Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali who is currently officiating as acting CEC if the office was not filled by that time.
Earlier, the court had set Oct 28, Nov 13 and Nov 25 as deadlines for CEC’s appointment.
But the issue remained unresolved. After a meeting on Nov 6, both the prime minister and the leader of opposition went abroad and could not hold direct consultation. Both sides blamed Imran Khan for the delay in the appointment, saying every candidate wanted to save himself from any controversy because of the PTI chairman's criticism of previous nominees.
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Again old age person required to deliver. I don't know how?
I hope you get involved in EC Reforms ASAP and eradicate all political interference from this institution.
He has landed one of the most difficult jobs in Pakistan today. I hope he does not go Fakhru bhai's way and is able to gain respect for ECP. More importantly, I hope ECP would play the role it's supposed to play......impartially.
if pti does not attend this meeting then how will they bring change. will they bring change through army or other source?
Congratulations Sir. Be ready for a lot of abuses in advance.
If he is not endorsed by PAT or PTI then it is again useless
Congratulations will only be due if he successfully upholds the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and perform his duties with honesty, sincerity and due diligence...from now on huge responsibility rests on his shoulder...
So now IK come out and start speaking against him..your fear has overtaken you, respectfully I may say! To overcome any fear you have to perform and that is the only medicine to cure the fear.
At last, we succeed to select 1 out of 200 Million.
Finally... But we have to remember that consesus building takes time. It time we'll develop truly independent institutions which is going to bring about real change. One cannot change our nations fortunes by paralyzing cities! Even hitler tried it in the 1920's only to become germanys leader through the ballotbox!
either he will one more puppet or he will become rope to hand the corrupt politicians, lets see
very poor.election is an executive work. .why drag judicial person in it? is there not a single person who works with honesty n can be appointed? like this election will never be free n fair..
The principle should be.....it matters not if the cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice.
Congratulations Justice Raza. We Pakistanis hope that you will be honest and trustworthy in the task entrusted to you.
@irfan If PTI opts to be not part of the solution then its part of the problem. As far as PTI is concerned it hasnt contested elections for about 20 years and shouldnt have any say in this. First become part of the system and then talk about changing it
I am sure PTI will reject this and we will be back where we started. That is the name of the game. "Na khailain gay no khail-nay dean gay".
Lets see if PTI again exercises its veto power against this nomination.
@vijay Because the constitution of Pakistan says, "No person shall be appointed to be (chief election) Commissioner unless he is, or has been, a Judge of the Supreme Court or is, or has been, a Judge of a High Court and is qualified under paragraph (a) of clause (2) of Article 177 to be appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court"
The performance of judiciary explicitly reflects that they are the part & parcel as well as beneficiary of the current status quo mafia and that's why retired judges are never retired. One should learn the art from NS/SS how they have intruded there puppets in each institution.
We pray that Imran will bring the change that is required for this country to bring back on its feet. Even if the change is not a complete one, he has developed a sense of accountability in our political system. I hope that new CEC will get encouragement from what PTI have done and can use this as a foundation to build a fair electoral system. We can easily criticize PTI and Imran, however we have to understand that fight for justice is long and painful. The results will not be instant, but will slowly creep in. The fact that all pro status quo elements are together is an evidence that the change is creeping in and our new CEC can make his mark in history by becoming part of the change and refusing to bow in front of pro status quo elements.
Just wondering if Imran Khan has condemned him yet?
very good selection, hope the man will handle the pressure, make bold decisions and will deliver.
I strongly condemn this one sided act of corrupt status quo Political Parties.Without consulting Pakistan MAJOR and BIGGEST OPPOSITION political party PTI ,this decision has no importance.
Of the 5 pillars including the newly erected one 4 are weak and wobbly. How long can any structure survive? 4 of the five pillars are so weak that they cannot sustain the weight of discharging their responsibility honestly, fairly, diligently, without fear or pressure and to the best of their ability.
I personally feel we will be witnessing perpetuation of status-quo with known and historical beneficiaries.
So, lets understand this. A representative of the PTI was invited and they refused to attend? PTI may cry foul about rigging but one thing is certain - they did not win 100 percent of the Pakistani vote. Not even attending meetings and then abusing the person selected at that meeting is indicative of low moral character.
Best choice and the right person for such a crucial assignment. May he be succeeded to conduct next elections with unquestionable credibility as being done in European countries even in nabouring India .
@irfan : PTI or PAT are not Godfathers. PAT has zero seats in NA; recent Elections in Bhakkar also showed they have almost zero potential of winning elections. PTI does not need votes; all they need is "umpire's finger going up".
It is one of the good sign of Pakistani democracy because in this time there are many backdraws and mismanagement in election commission of Pakistan.Justice Sardar Raza Khan as the new Chief Election Commission try to demolish the ranging system and also reformed the election system in Pakistan.
God bless justice Sardar Raza Khan, this Job is difficult in our country as you all know. The important thing is who is electing this positions, leader of the house & opposition then dis-honesty start right from there in our sense. Anyway I personally think that these position could be filled on true merit basis by supreme court or who ever is the head, So the person can work freely and take fair decisions without any troubles from the ruling party.
@irfan PTI had been informally (because they do not become a part of consitutional role, which btw is their job and for which PTI MNAs continue to draw hefty allowances i.e. 130k per month per member) consulted.
As with IK, not participating gives him plausible deniability and an excuse of rigged elections, when they get they get thrashed in 2018 general elections.
God bless justice Sardar Raza Khan, this Job is difficult in our country as you all know. The important thing is who is electing this positions, leader of the house & opposition then dis-honesty start right from there in our sense. Anyway I personally think that these position could be filled on true merit basis by supreme court or who ever is the head, So the person can work freely and take fair decisions without any troubles from the ruling party.
@Pashtunyar you made no sense...IK has already brought a change to Pakistan. Now the government has to think twice before it elect anyone....because of IK, the government know that everything matters, especially your vote. Pakistan should come together and fight, unless you are happy with the way Pakistan is.
We have only retired judges, generals journalists, chamchas to occupy key posts for our nation. Gulu butts are leaders. Where are we going? I cannot understand why all such people if most trustworthy are always ready to accept a new type of job. Why not they write books or help society privately in order to justify their credibility.
@Ahmed USA The founder of Pakistan did not name it Islamic reupblic so we shouldn't either.
He has landed bugger all, he was consulted; will you rig, he said yes, he got the job just as Fakhru did. I don't know which world people reside in hoping that these guys will bring change.
Well done Nawaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar and Khurshid Shah-
@sunny Good joke
India's CEC are much better.You could have taken the service of any former Indian CEC to help ratify your electoral system.
The Government has pulled a real fast one by appointing a person from KPK as the new CEC
Useless exercise because this CEC is bound to face a rebound from the PM-in-waiting that is IK already down the deep tunnel where the light of his "New Pakistan" shines at the end. Let us hope his Dharnas keep rolling the mill and corruption-candies are left in the garbage to rot.
The only thing I want to know is he status quo guy or independent?
Too little, too late.
IK must accept this CEC. Suck it up and pay attention on IDPs in PKA. Try to show leadership by participating in system.
We welcome new CEC and also request, to please open these 4 boxes which PTI is demanding immediately. Then order to investigate the rigging allegations of PTI and all other parties, especially, printing of extra ballot papers from a private printing press.
Nothing going to change unless all employees under him are replaced immediately.
Wise decision but on supreme court dead line.No option for further delay. Could be decided a year age with respect. Wait for justice.
His trial date: Next General Elections whenever held.