ISLAMABAD: Opposition's steering committee has expressed reservations over the inclusion of federal ministers Fawad Chaudhry and Azam Swati in the parliamentary committee on the appointment of the members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

A virtual meeting of the Opposition steering committee was held under the chairmanship of former Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, in which it was agreed to respond to the National Assembly speaker’s letter to the opposition seeking cooperation on important legislation.

The meeting was attended by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Ayaz Sadiq, Sadiq Rafiq, Marriyum Aurangzeb; Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders Yousaf Raza Gillani, Shazia Marri, Sherry Rehman; and Kamran Murtaza and Shahida Akhtar Ali of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI).

Opposition parties have expressed concern over the government's attitude, while the JUI-F has rejected the inclusion of Fawad and Swati in the ECP committee.

The opposition members said that the government included Fawad and Swati, who have in the past threatened the ECP chief, adding that now these people were being asked to decide on the appointment of the ECP members.

The committee also decided that the opposition will support the government on important legislation but the legislation should be in accordance with the constitution and the law.

“The opposition won’t support the government on personal grounds but can hold talks over the improvement of a law,” the committee members said in their stance.