On Monday, the Supreme Court (SC) suspended the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to disqualify MNA Adil Bazai over an alleged floor crossing.
A three-member bench led by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah restored Bazai’s National Assembly membership until December 12.
The ECP had disqualified Bazai following a reference filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif, accusing him of violating party loyalty. Bazai, elected as an independent candidate from NA-262 (Quetta), initially submitted an affidavit joining the PML-N but switched allegiance to the Sunni Ittehad Council days later.
During the hearing, Bazai’s lawyer claimed the affidavit indicating his PML-N membership was fake. In contrast, Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer argued that Bazai’s actions breached constitutional provisions, particularly concerning voting on the finance bill and constitutional amendments.
Read: Pakistan Supreme Court Criticizes ECP for Delaying PTI Seat Allocation
Bazai has consistently denied joining the PML-N, sharing his stance on social media platforms. Despite this, the National Assembly’s website displayed him as a PML-N member after his election win.
The PML-N’s reference stated that Bazai had become a dissident and called for his removal from the National Assembly. Nawaz Sharif urged the ECP to de-seat him from his position.
The SC’s suspension of the ECP’s decision now gives Bazai temporary relief. The next developments in the case are expected by December 12.
