Uncertainty surrounding PEC election date sparks widespread debate

“The alliance fever that had gripped the friends and foes of Engr. Abdul Qadir Shah and Engr. Jawed Saleem Qureshi’s groups for the last few months has finally receded to a great degree. It seems that both, or at least one, has started to return to normal. As a result, both groups are likely to go their separate ways, and the rest of the groups are also expected to review their strategies for the PEC Elections 2024.”
“Both Engr. Shah and Engr. Qureshi, along with their intermediaries, maintained contact despite the latter’s core group never favoring support for the former, especially for the office of chairman. Engr. Qureshi’s core group believes they would suffer the most if they were to endorse Engr. Qadir Shah for the top office. Engr. Qureshi’s top lieutenants claim the negotiation process for the alliance, which aimed to promote Engr. Qadir Shah as the joint candidate for chairman, has broken down. Nevertheless, both groups can discuss a joint effort to resolve issues concerning engineers and the engineering industry in Pakistan.”
Now, with the alliance between two well-known groups appearing increasingly distant, one — TEP — has begun finalizing its panel, while the other — NEA — is contemplating whether to retain Engr. Qadir Shah as their candidate for the chairman’s post. The assessment suggests that no major group would endorse Engr. Shah for the top position. However, the consolidation of smaller groups, including one led by Engr. Ashfaq Shah, may work in his favor. Additionally, the situation may compel NEA to reconsider its earlier decision not to ally with Engr. Najeeb Haroon, whose political party is reportedly striving to gain support from PPP and PML-N circles for a second term in office. While the PPP-PML-N alliance is reportedly concluded, the outcome of MQM’s efforts remains to be seen.
“In a scenario where smaller groups of engineers in Pakistan have gained importance across all four provinces, larger groups are actively engaged in the field. For instance, the Pakistan Engineers Forum (PEF), led by Engr. Al Kazim Mansoor, has been proactive in organizing its strength while engaging with smaller groups and influential engineers nationwide. PEF leaders Engr. Mansoor and Engr. Imtiaz Shah have visited cities like Hyderabad and Nawabshah, believed to be supported by NEA, to garner support from engineers. PEF aims to make a difference in the upcoming elections, following a previous chapter that did not bring much fortune to the group.”
“Engr. Najeeb Haroon, as reports pour in, has been traveling across Pakistan and has actively launched his campaign in all four provinces. He has a long list of activities undertaken during his tenure that he believes are sufficient to convince engineers to vote for him for a second tenure. Many engineers in his circle still expect the NEA to return to his fold and revive the alliance that swept the elections in 2021.”
Like others, Engr. Waseem Nazir, leading a significant group of engineers in Pakistan—Pakistan Excellence Group (PEG)—has been busy meeting numerous groups to explore the possibility of support. Some engineers in Sindh say Engr. Nazir sees PEF as his ally, which they believe will bolster his position across the country, especially in Sindh and Punjab. PEF has already opened channels with Sindh-based Dr. Niaz Memon, who was the PEG candidate for the post of Vice Chairman Sindh against NEA candidate Engr. Mukhtiar Shaikh in previous elections.
Pakistan’s PEC Elections 2024 scenario is developing, but the exact date of the elections remains unclear. The last meeting of the PEC Governing Body (GB) failed to reach a consensus on the election date. One group of GB members, citing the PEC Act, insists that the election process must be completed two weeks before the date on which the winners of the 2021 Election were sworn in. However, another group, including the incumbent chairman, believes that weather patterns necessitate a one-month postponement of the elections. The council has sought the opinion of the Law Division on whether the elections can be delayed for this reason.
The uncertainty surrounding the election date has sparked widespread debate in engineering circles and groups. One such group, TEP, has stated that they will approach the court if the election schedule is not announced in the next few days.