SC reinstates Khaliq Achakzai as Balochistan assembly speaker

Source: The Nation

ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court of Pakistan Thursday set aside the suspension decision of Balochistan Assembly Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, reinstating him to his position.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan conducted hearing of the petition of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Abdul Khaliq against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) order. The bench with the agreement of all candidates, referred the matter back to the Commission, instructing it to make a decision within 10 days after hearing all candidates.

Achakzai had emerged victorious from PB-51 Chaman, Balochistan. He secured 20,390 votes, while his opponent Asghar Achakzai of the Awami National Party (ANP) bagged 19,623 votes.

The Commission had issued the notification of Achakzai's success as speaker but at the request of opposition candidate Asghar ordered re-polling in 12 polling stations i.e. 56, 57, 61, 62, 79, 89, 90, 91, 95, 106, 129 and 130 of the PB-51 constituency.

During the proceeding, Justice Aminuddin Khan inquired "under which regulation did the ECP order re-polling at 12 polling stations". Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar remarked that the ECP looked at only 12 polling stations and ignored others. He criticized the lack of inquiry and adherence to rules by the ECP.

Director General (Law) of the ECP told that only the polling stations with a maximum turnout of votes were pointed out in petitions. Justice Mazhar said that the ECP should have conducted an inquiry of the entire constituency, adding if the ECP had conducted its due diligence, the matter would not have reached the court.

The decision came amid allegations of irregularities and rigging during the electoral process. The PML-N leader later challenged the ECP's decision in the apex court.