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World

Shehbaz Sharif writes second letter to Achakzai, inviting fresh talks on election chief

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has written another letter to opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai inviting talks at the PM House and consultations on appointing a new chief election commissioner.

By James Calloway · · 1 min read

Official parliamentary portrait of Mahmood Khan Achakzai.
Photo: National Assembly of Pakistan · source

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has written another letter to National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, inviting him to talks and a meeting at the Prime Minister’s House, and to consultations on the appointment of a new chief election commissioner, 24NewsHD reported on Thursday.

Opposition spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai confirmed the letter had been received, but said the government appeared to be backtracking on commitments made during earlier meetings. “The letter has been received. We expect Rana Sanaullah and others to stand by their word,” he said.

The appointment is constitutionally urgent: the five-year term of incumbent chief election commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja expired on 26 January 2025, and under Article 213(2A) of the Constitution the prime minister must consult the National Assembly opposition leader and forward three names to a parliamentary committee. The posts of two Election Commission members from Sindh and Balochistan are also vacant.

The letter is the latest move in a weeks-long exchange. Dawn reported on 11 September that Sharif had already invited Achakzai for mandatory consultations, and the two offices have since been arranging a meeting. The new invitation comes days before the PTI’s planned 4 October march on Islamabad.

Sources

More on this topic: all World stories

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