Achakzai Urges PM Shehbaz to Appoint New CEC, ECP Sindh Balochistan Member

Balochistan – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai has formally asked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to move quickly on appointing a new chief election commissioner along with the long-vacant ECP Sindh Balochistan member seats, warning that further delay could hurt the credibility of Pakistan’s electoral body.

The National Assembly opposition leader shared his concerns through a letter sent on August 10. Achakzai, who leads the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan and also heads the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, called this a pressing constitutional matter that cannot wait any longer.

Terms Ended Over a Year Ago

According to Achakzai, the tenure of the chief election commissioner, along with the ECP members from Sindh and Balochistan, technically ended back on January 26, 2025. That means these key seats have remained empty for well over a year now.

He stressed that filling these posts quickly is not just a formality. It’s needed to keep the commission running smoothly, to protect its independence, and to maintain public trust in how elections are managed across the country.

What the Constitution Says

In his letter, Achakzai pointed to two specific constitutional articles to back his request. He referred to Article 213(2A), explaining that it requires the prime minister to consult with the opposition leader before sending three names for the CEC post to a parliamentary committee for review and approval.

He also brought up Article 218(2)(b), noting that it lays out the same consultation process for choosing ECP members from each province, including the pending Sindh and Balochistan seats.

Achakzai didn’t stop at the letter. He also requested a direct meeting with the prime minister so both sides could sit down and finalize suitable names for these roles together.

A History of Delays

This isn’t the first time such consultations have been attempted. Last year, in June, PM Shehbaz had reached out to the then opposition leader, Omar Ayub, for similar talks on choosing a chief election commissioner.

However, those discussions never reached a conclusion. Ayub, along with other PTI-aligned lawmakers, was later removed from major parliamentary roles in August, following disqualifications tied to the May 9 cases handled by the ECP.

That political shake-up effectively stalled the entire appointment process, leaving the commission without full leadership for months on end.

With Achakzai now stepping into the opposition leader’s role, there’s fresh hope that talks between the government and opposition could finally move forward. Analysts and political observers believe that resolving the CEC and ECP Sindh Balochistan member appointments soon is essential, especially given upcoming electoral responsibilities the commission may need to handle.

For now, all eyes are on whether PM Shehbaz will respond to Achakzai’s request for a direct meeting, and how soon Pakistan can expect its election watchdog to be back at full strength.