SC restores Adil Bazai as MNA, suspending ECP decision

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday restored Adil Khan Bazai as a member of the National Assembly, suspending the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) verdict.

The electoral body, on a reference filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif, disqualified Asil Bazai, Member of the National Assembly (MNA) from NA-262 Quetta, over negating the party’s policy.

A three-member apex court bench headed by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah suspended the ECP’s November 21 decision to de-seat Adil Bazai and issued a stay order till December 12.

Adil Bazai, an independent candidate from Quetta, after winning the Feb 8 election submitted an affidavit joining the PML-N, only to switch allegiance to the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) a few days later.

Bazai claimed the affidavit of joining the PML-N was fake and asked for a forensic audit, adding that he never joined the PML-N.

During the hearing in the top court, the petitioner’s lawyer Taimur Aslam alleged that ECP de-seated lawmaker from Quetta under Article 63-A, adding that the commission did not properly examine the facts nor did it call Adil Bazai for inquiry.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, questioned, “If the matter of Adil Bazai’s affidavits was in the civil court, then what is the jurisdiction of the Election Commission?” First, decide the jurisdiction of the Election Commission, Justice Mansoor remarked.

During the proceeding, Justice Ayesha Malik added “Adil Bazai has two affidavits and he says he signed the second one. Can the Election Commission inquire into fraud?”