Islamabad: The Supreme Court has suspended the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to disqualify Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Adil Bazai for allegedly violating party policy.
A three-member bench led by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, along with Justice Aqeel Abbasi and Justice Ayesha A Malik, issued the verdict and postponed further hearings until December 12.
Bazai, a lawmaker from Quetta, was disqualified by the ECP on November 21 after National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq requested action. The decision came after PML-N President Nawaz Sharif accused Bazai of siding with the opposition during the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment.
Bazai challenged the ECP’s ruling in the Supreme Court, arguing that the commission had acted without proper investigation.
Court Hearing Highlights
During the hearing, Bazai’s lawyer, Taimoor Aslam, argued that the ECP disqualified his client under Article 63-A without reviewing the facts or conducting a proper inquiry. He also noted that the matter of Bazai’s affidavits was already being handled by a civil court, questioning the ECP’s jurisdiction.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah raised concerns about whether the ECP could intervene in an issue already before a civil court, while Justice Ayesha Malik questioned if the commission had the authority to investigate allegations of fraud.
The bench emphasized that removing an elected representative is a serious matter requiring thorough scrutiny.
Bazai, who represents NA-262 Quetta, remains in office until the court’s next hearing on December 12.
