Supreme Court Issues Notice to Election Commission Over Balochistan Assembly Constituency Dispute

ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued a notice to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding an election dispute in Balochistan Assembly’s Constituency PB-21. The case challenges the success of candidate Ali Hassan Zehri and was brought forward by former winner Saleh Bhutani.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed heard the petition filed by Bhutani, who claims that the ECP violated court orders by declaring Zehri the winner after a recount.

During the proceedings, the ECP’s legal representative informed the court that the case is already under consideration in the election tribunal. However, Justice Waheed responded that the matter before the court concerns the ECP directly and is separate from tribunal proceedings. He said, “Let the Election Commission submit its response first; we will look into it accordingly.”

Senior lawyer Khawaja Haris, representing one of the parties, reminded the court that this very bench had previously directed the ECP to make decisions in accordance with the Constitution and law. Bhutani’s counsel argued that the ECP had acted against the spirit of the court’s earlier ruling.

The Supreme Court, while seeking a response from the ECP, adjourned the hearing indefinitely.

Originally, Saleh Bhutani was declared the winner from PB-21, but a recount led the Election Commission to declare Ali Hassan Zehri as the successful candidate.

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