ISLAMABAD: The Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, has declined to form a parliamentary committee for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two members of the Election Commission, citing the absence of a consensus between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. In a formal response to Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, Speaker Sadiq clarified that a parliamentary committee will only be constituted once both the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader submit their proposed names in accordance with the constitutional procedure. Ayub had earlier written to the Speaker, requesting the immediate formation of the committee to proceed with the crucial appointments. However, the speaker emphasised that consultation between both parties is a legal prerequisite, and the committee cannot be established unilaterally. ONLINE
