Shehbaz Sharif urges Achakzai to resume political talks amid constitutional deadlock

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday invited National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai to resume discussions on political and constitutional matters during an informal meeting at a joint session of Parliament.

Sources said PM Sharif expressed concern over the year-long deadlock over the appointment of the chief election commissioner and other members of the Election Commission, stressing that the constitutional requirement should not be subject to political manoeuvring.

The prime minister urged Achakzai to prioritise resolving the appointments, while the opposition leader listened attentively and nodded during their conversation, sources said.

After PM Sharif left the House, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Hamza Shehbaz approached Achakzai’s seat and spoke with him.

Meanwhile, the joint session, presided over by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, approved a resolution ratifying the imposition of an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

President Asif Ali Zardari declared an emergency in the province on October 11 under Article 232 of the Constitution. The federal government subsequently secured parliamentary approval to ratify the decision.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry moved the resolution during Thursday’s session. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar told the House that a detailed debate on the imposition of the emergency under Article 232 had already concluded in both houses of Parliament.

The resolution received 214 votes in favour and 57 against.

A separate presidential proclamation issued under Article 234 will also be presented before a joint session of Parliament.