SC suspends re-election in PB-45, reinstates PPP's Ali Madad Jatak as MPA

The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) Thursday reinstated Ali Madad Jatak, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) candidate from PB-45 (Quetta-VIII), after suspending the Balochistan High Court's (BHC) decision to hold re-elections at 15 polling stations in the constituency. 

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, a three-member bench of the SC, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, heard PPP candidate Ali Madad Jatak’s appeal, overturning the earlier decision of the BHC.

The Balochistan High Court had previously ordered re-elections at 15 polling stations following an Election Tribunal's findings of irregularities during the 2023 general elections. 

The tribunal, headed by Justice Abdullah Baloch, had cited significant mismanagement, including missing ballot boxes and election materials, as well as allegations of collusion between returning officers and police officials. 

Based on these irregularities, the Balochistan High Court's election tribunal ordered a fresh poll at the contested polling stations in PB-45.

However, the Supreme Court has now nullified that order, effectively reinstating Ali Madad Jatak as the winning candidate and dismissing the need for a reelection.

Reporter: Amanat Gishkori