Anger boils over as residents jeer French PM in Gironde

ISLAMABAD: More than two years after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government took office, repeated predictions about its imminent collapse have yet to materialize, even as fresh deadlines continue to dominate Pakistan’s political debate. Since the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led coalition assumed power following the February 2024 general elections, political commentators, television analysts, and social media personalities have frequently forecast the government’s downfall. The expected timelines have varied—from 90 days to six months and beyond—but each prediction has ultimately passed without bringing the anticipated political change. Over time, different events have been presented as potential turning points, including IMF reviews, the federal budget, economic challenges, coalition disagreements, opposition campaigns, and speculation surrounding Pakistan’s political establishment. As one deadline expired, another quickly emerged, keeping the narrative alive despite the government’s continued survival. The latest claim suggests the government has been given six months to create new provinces. However, constitutional experts argue that such a proposal is highly unlikely within that timeframe. Under Pakistan’s Constitution, altering provincial boundaries requires a constitutional amendment approved by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament as well as the consent of the relevant provincial assembly. Given the current political landscape and the absence of broad political consensus, analysts believe such a move faces significant constitutional and political hurdles. Political observers note that earlier forecasts were largely driven by concerns that the coalition lacked the strength to withstand inflation, IMF-linked reforms, and mounting economic pressures. Yet the government has managed to navigate successive economic and political challenges, prompting critics to repeatedly revise their predictions rather than abandon them. Speculation has also been fueled by statements from several political figures and commentators who have periodically hinted at major political developments or institutional changes. Although such claims have often generated widespread public discussion, none of the predicted political upheavals have occurred. In recent weeks, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has intensified its criticism of the federal government, particularly amid growing tensions with its coalition partner during the Azad Jammu and Kashmir election campaign. While the PPP has adopted a tougher political tone, analysts caution that electoral rhetoric and coalition disagreements do not necessarily signal the immediate collapse of the federal government. Rumors about possible alternatives to the current leadership have also surfaced repeatedly. Claims that a new political figure was being prepared to replace Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with speculation about the removal of senior cabinet members, have circulated over the past year. However, none of those predictions have been borne out by subsequent developments. Analysts say the recurring cycle of political forecasts reflects a broader trend in Pakistan’s political discourse, where speculation often outpaces reality. While acknowledging that every government faces political and economic challenges, they note that repeated predictions of the coalition’s imminent fall have consistently failed to match events on the ground, leaving each passing deadline followed by yet another countdown.

  ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to initiate the process of appointing a new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and fill the vacant positions of two Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) members from Sindh and Balochistan. Achakzai made the request in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on August 10. The opposition leader, who also heads the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) and serves as chairman of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, asked the premier to give immediate attention to what he described as an important constitutional responsibility concerning the composition of the country’s electoral watchdog. According to Achakzai, the official terms of the Chief Election Commissioner and the ECP members representing Sindh and Balochistan expired on January 26, 2025. He stressed that the vacant positions should be filled without further delay to ensure the commission continues to function effectively. The opposition leader argued that the timely appointment of officials to these constitutional positions was essential for maintaining the ECP’s operational continuity, institutional independence and credibility. In his communication, Achakzai referred to relevant provisions of the Constitution that outline the procedure for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and members of the Election Commission. He cited Article 213(2A) under which the prime minister is required to consult the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly before forwarding three candidates for the post of CEC to a parliamentary committee. The committee then considers the proposed names before making the appointment through the constitutional process. Achakzai also referred to Article 218(2)(b), arguing that the appointment of ECP members from the provinces is subject to the same constitutional principle of consultation between the prime minister and the opposition leader. The opposition leader consequently called on Prime Minister Shehbaz to hold a formal meeting with him so that both sides could consult and agree on suitable candidates for the vacant constitutional positions. The demand comes against the backdrop of a prolonged delay in completing the composition of the electoral body. It is worth recalling that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had previously invited former National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub for consultations regarding the appointment of a new Chief Election Commissioner. The invitation was extended in June last year as part of the constitutional process for filling the position. However, the parliamentary situation subsequently changed after the National Assembly removed Omar Ayub and several other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed leaders from important parliamentary positions. The move followed their disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan in connection with the May 9 cases in August last year. As a result, the consultation process concerning appointments to key positions within the ECP remained stalled. Achakzai’s latest letter has brought renewed attention to the issue, with the opposition leader emphasising that the vacant positions should be filled through the constitutional procedure and without further delay. The appointment of a CEC and provincial ECP members is considered crucial for ensuring the electoral watchdog remains fully functional and retains public confidence. Achakzai has therefore sought an immediate consultation process with the prime minister to resolve the matter and complete the appointments in accordance with the Constitution.