Consultations between PM and Opposition leader must over CEC appointment: NA Speaker

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has written a reply letter to the opposition leader, Omar Ayub regarding the appointment of the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) chief election commissioner and other two members. 

According to details surfaced on Sunday, the letter from the NA speaker said that the formation of a parliamentary committee is the next step in the process, but prior consultations between the prime minister and the opposition leader were essential. 

The speaker said that the formation of the parliamentary committee can begin only after the consultation process is completed and that the committee can be constituted once names are proposed by both sides.

This response came in reply to Omar Ayub’s demand for the formation of a parliamentary committee for the appointment of the new Chief Election Commissioner and two members. 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had written to Omar Ayub on May 16, inviting him for consultations on the appointment of the electoral watchdog's chief; however, no final names have been proposed so far.