BHC suspends ECP verdict, restores industries minister

BAP’s Utmankhail was disqualified over fake degree

QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court on Saturday suspended the disqualification verdict of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) lawmaker and member of Balochistan Assembly Muhammad Khan Toor Utmankhail.

It restored the membership of the provincial minister and sought a report from the ECP. The BHC bench, comprising Chief Justice Syeda Tahira Safdar and Justice Muhammad Ejaz Swati, heard the constitutional petition filed by Utmankhail against the ECP decision.

The petition stated that his disqualification by the ECP over a fake degree was illegal as the case was already pending in a sessions court.

The bench, after the initial hearing, suspended the ECP decision to unseat the lawmaker and ordered the restoration of his membership. The hearing of the case was adjourned till April 22.

Utmankhail was elected a member of the Balochistan Assembly from PB-4 Loralai in the 2018 general elections on a ticket of the Balochistan Awami Party.