The Supreme Court of Pakistan Monday, while refusing to give further time to the federal government for appointment of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), recalled services of Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali who was serving as acting CEC.
The Supreme Court also observed that it would issue notices to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Opposition Leader Syed Khursheed Shah if the government failed to appoint CEC by next hearing on Dec. 1, 2014. The three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Nasir-Ul-Mulk comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Dost Muhammad Khan heard the case regarding CEC's appointment. On November 13th, the Supreme Court gave a deadline to the government for the appointment of the CEC that ended today but no name for the slot has been finalized yet.
During today’s hearing Attorney General Salman Aslam Butt pleaded for more time but the bench refused to grant the request. The hearing was adjourned till Dec. 1. Following the hearing, the Supreme Court issued an administrative order and recalled services of Justice Jamali. It may be pointed out that CEC post is lying vacant since the resignation of Fakhruddin G Ibrahim in July 2013
