Bazai restored as independent MNA following SC ruling

ISLAMABAD: Adil Khan Bazai has rejoined the National Assembly as an independent lawmaker after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued a notification in compliance with an order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Bazai, who was elected as an independent MNA from NA-262, Quetta-I, in the February 8 general election and later joined the ruling PMLN, is no longer affiliated with the ruling party, according to the Election Commission of Pakistan’s notification.

The notification reads: “...Pursuant to the Order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in Civil Appeals No. 1507 & 1508 of 2024 and CMAs No. 11341 & 11342 of 2024 titled ‘Adil Khan Bazai Vs. Election Commission of Pakistan and others,’ dated 12th December 2024, the Election Commission of Pakistan hereby rescinds its Notification No. F.17(3)2024-Coord.-M/F dated 21st November 2024, whereby Mr. Adil Khan Bazai, MNA from NA-262 Quetta-I, was de-notified.

Resultantly, the ECP’s earlier Notifications No. F.2(5)/2024-Cord (1) & No. F.2(5)/2024-Cord.M/F(15) dated 15th February 2024 are hereby restored with retrospective effect, declaring Mr. Adil Khan Bazai as the returned candidate from NA-262 Quetta-I.

He shall now be treated as an independent returned candidate from NA-262 Quetta-I instead of being affiliated with the PMLN.”

The document is signed by Additional Director General (Elections) Syed Nadeem Haider.

In November, the ECP had announced its reserved verdict on disqualification applications filed under Article 63-A against Bazai.

These applications had sought his disqualification for not adhering to party policy on key votes, including the money bill and the 26th amendment.

The Election Commission of Pakistan, in its decision, had declared the NA-262 Quetta-I seat vacant after disqualifying Bazai.

According to the law, an independent candidate cannot change party affiliation after submitting the oath of allegiance to the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Despite this, Bazai was seen supporting members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

Bazai had challenged his disqualification in the Supreme Court, which restored his National Assembly membership a few weeks ago.

It is worth noting that, apart from PMLN President Nawaz Sharif, the special secretary of the National Assembly had written a letter to the secretary of the election commission. The letter stated that Adil Bazai violated party leadership orders.