According to the sources, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Opposition Leader Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah had agreed to appoint former Justice Rana Bhagwandas as Chief Election Commissioner, but there was a legal hurdle in his appointment. To remove at hurdle, the government Friday tabled the "Federal Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2014" in the House for passage.
Federal Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid Friday placed the bill before the House. The Bill was smoothly passed by the House. According to the laws governing the Public Services Commission, its chief cannot assume an official position once he retires. The amendment in the Federal Public Services Commission Ordinance, 1977, has now paved way for him to assume the charge of Chief Election Commissioner.
Supreme Court Judge Nasirul Mulk has been serving as an acting CEC following the resignation of Fakhruddin G Ebrahim, who relinquished the post after May 2013 general elections. According to objects and reason of the Bill, it seeks to amend the Federal Public Service Commission Ordinance, 1977 with the objective to attract the highly qualified and skilled persons to join the Commission. Presently, the members of the Commission, upon completion of term, are not eligible for further employment in the service of Pakistan. According to Amendment, the following proviso shall be added, namely: "Provided that the President may allow further employment of such member to a constitutional office in public interest."