Dawood Ahmed:
ISLAMABAD: In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has suspended the judgment of the Election Tribunal Balochistan, reinstating Ali Madad Jattak, a Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) lawmaker.
The tribunal’s decision had called for re-polling in PB-45 Sariab, Quetta, but the apex court has halted the process until further notice.
The case, heard by Justice Aminuddin Khan on Thursday, was brought to the Supreme Court after JUI’s Usman Pirkani challenged Jattak’s victory in the 2023 general elections.
Pirkani’s petition had led the tribunal to order a re-election in the constituency, but Jattak’s appeal to the Supreme Court has temporarily reversed that order.
The Supreme Court has issued notices to all relevant departments and scheduled the next hearing for October 21st, where the case will be further examined.
This suspension means Ali Madad Jattak will remain in office as a member of the Balochistan Provincial Assembly until a final decision is made.
The ruling has temporarily put a hold on the political contest in PB-45, keeping the election results in limbo.
The decision has attracted attention from political circles, as both PPP and JUI compete for influence in the Balochistan Assembly, with the upcoming hearing set to be closely watched.