ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR (MNN); Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai has received another invitation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for a meeting at the Prime Minister House to discuss the appointment of three members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The latest invitation comes as political tensions continue between the federal government and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, meanwhile, has called for resolving outstanding issues with the Centre through dialogue, while warning that any “misadventure” could have serious consequences.
Sources close to Achakzai said the opposition leader had earlier proposed holding the meeting in the Constitution Room of Parliament House, but the prime minister’s latest communication suggested the meeting should instead take place at the PM House.
Following Achakzai’s letter to the prime minister on August 10, three federal cabinet members — Rana Sanaullah, Azam Nazeer Tarar and Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry — had met him. During that meeting, Achakzai had expressed willingness to meet the prime minister in the Constitution Room.
Sources said Achakzai was expected to respond to the latest invitation after consultations.
The five-year terms of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, Sindh ECP Member Nisar Ahmad Durrani and Balochistan ECP Member Shah Muhammad Jatoi expired on January 26. They have, however, continued in office under the provisions of the 26th Constitutional Amendment.
Achakzai, who heads the Tehreek Tahafuz Aiyeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) and is chairman of the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party, had drawn the prime minister’s attention to the constitutional requirement for filling the vacant ECP positions.
He had cited Article 213(2A), under which the prime minister, in consultation with the opposition leader in the National Assembly, is required to forward three names for appointment as chief election commissioner to a parliamentary committee for consideration.
He also referred to Article 218(2)(b), which provides for consultation between the prime minister and opposition leader regarding the appointment of ECP members from the provinces.
KP CM offers dialogue with federal government
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said his party had agreed to postpone its planned Islamabad march in an effort to resolve political issues through negotiations.
Speaking to journalists during an informal interaction at KP House, Afridi said the PTI was not an armed group and wanted outstanding matters resolved through dialogue. He warned, however, that any “misadventure” could push the situation towards a point of no return.
The PTI had planned a nationwide protest and march towards Islamabad to seek the release of party founder Imran Khan, who is incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. Afridi later announced that the march had been postponed from September 27 to October 4.
Afridi said the federal government had 52 days to consider the party’s demands. He said these included permission for Imran Khan to receive medical treatment at a private hospital in Islamabad and access to his lawyers, relatives and the 18 party members nominated by the court.
The chief minister said he had approached the courts and written to the federal government seeking permission to meet Imran Khan, but claimed that he was subsequently compelled to announce the Islamabad march as concerns over the former prime minister’s health persisted.
On reports concerning a possible imposition of governor’s rule in KP, Afridi said PTI supporters would come onto the streets on a 24-hour notice if he were removed.
He also criticised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and others over what he described as the singling out of Pakhtuns, alleging that there was an effort to create divisions in the country.
Afridi said his government had met revenue targets and provided resources to police for counterterrorism operations. He also reiterated his criticism of the federal government’s Afghanistan policy, saying he had proposed renewed engagement with the Taliban government, reopening the border and abandoning the distinction between “good” and “bad” Taliban.
Governor urges PTI to abandon march after DI Khan blast
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi called on the PTI leadership and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to cancel the planned Islamabad march following the deadly suicide attack in Dera Ismail Khan, in which 12 people were killed and 30 injured.
Kundi urged the political leadership to set aside differences and present a united front as the province faces continuing security challenges.
He said the people of KP needed solidarity, security and leadership focused on protecting lives.
Information minister criticises KP chief minister
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar criticised Chief Minister Sohail Afridi while defending the federal government’s counterterrorism policy.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad alongside the prime minister’s coordinator for KP, Ikhtiar Wali, Tarar accused the KP government of failing to take ownership of counterterrorism operations and alleged political links between the PTI and militant groups.
Tarar said the federal government remained committed to combating terrorism and eliminating militant threats. He also highlighted the sacrifices of police and security personnel in the fight against terrorism.
Regarding the PTI’s planned march, the minister said the federal government would not allow the political situation to undermine security measures.
Meanwhile, security arrangements remain in place in Islamabad, Rawalpindi Division and parts of Punjab despite the postponement of the march. Section 144 restrictions have been imposed in Punjab and Islamabad, while the federal government has approved the deployment of Rangers in Islamabad and several Punjab districts through October 5.