SC suspends tribunal's decision to de-seat Qasim Suri

Apex court directs ECP to halt by-election in NA-265

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday suspended the decision of an election tribunal that nullified National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri's election.

The decision was earlier passed by an election tribunal of the Balochistan High Court (BHC).

Election Commission of Pakistan's notification de-notifying the lawmaker as a member of the National Assembly was also suspended.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Faisal Arbab and Justice Ijazul Ahsan heard the appeal filed by Suri.

The appeal prayed upon the court to set aside the tribunal's decision to declare Suri’s election as void.

The apex court also directed the ECP to halt by-election on the Quetta constituency till the final judgment is issued.

In his plea, Suri also questioned the jurisdiction of the commission when it was short of two members.

Earlier, the tribunal had given the decision on a rigging plea filed by Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani.