LAHORE, July 10: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has welcomed the selection of Justice (retired) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim as new chief election commissioner following parliamentary consensus and hoped under his leadership the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would work independently for holding fair polls and resolving all related issues.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the HRCP said: “The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan welcomes the parliamentary accord on the appointment as CEC of Justice Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim, who is highly respected for his independent mind and impeccable integrity. It is indeed a positive thing that the political parties have eventually found a way out of the deadlock and it is hoped that the spirit of meaningful consultation and cooperation endures and expands.”

It said the appointment to the CEC office was also significant because such an important post could not and must not remain vacant for long.

HRCP noted that under the new scheme of things bulk of the electoral process was to be carried out by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as a whole. Therefore, it stressed the need for a good team to work with the new CEC.

“It is imperative for the smooth running of the ECP and for holding free and fair elections that the CEC and all ECP members stay on the same wavelength, for if they are at cross-purposes at this crucial juncture in the country’s history then Justice Ebrahim’s appointment would not make much of a difference. It is hoped the CEC’s appointment would be followed by other positive steps required to promote confidence in the Election Commission’s ability to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.”

Asma: Supreme Court Bar Association’s former president Asma Jahangir has hailed the appointment of Justice Fakharuddin G Ebrahim (retired) as new chief election commissioner.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, she said the government took a good decision by appointing such a spotless personality as CEC.

She also lauded Mr Ebrahim for taking a great responsibility in his old age. She said it was a good omen that all political parties reached a consensus on the name of Mr Ebrahim as new CEC.

She urged the government to also appoint clean and honest officers in the election commission so that they could extend complete cooperation to the CEC.