QUETTA: The Baloch­i­stan Assembly’s speaker, Abdul Khaliq Achakzai of the PML-N, has been removed from his position following the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to suspend his election notification and order re-election in 12 polling stations within the provincial constituency PB-51 (Chaman).

The directive for the re-election came after a challenge to Mr Khaliq’s victory by three contenders: Muhammad Asghar Ach­akzai of the Awami Natio­nal Party (ANP), Abasin Achakzai, and Muham­m­­ad Sadiq, all of whom were defeated in the general ele­­ction for the PB-51 seat.

However, the trio petitioned the Election Com­mission against the win of Mr Khaliq, who contested as a joint candidate of the PML-N and PPP.

A two-member ECP be­­n­ch — comprising Nisar Ahmad Durrani and Ba­­bar Hussain — heard the petitions filed by the op­­posing candidates. They called for re-polling at specified polling stations and subsequently suspended Mr Khaliq’s official victory notification, the commission said in a statement.

According to the Election Commission, the re-election will be held at polling stations 56, 57, 61, 62, 79, 89, 90, 91, 95, 106, 129 and 130 of the PB-51 constituency.

Meanwhile, Balochistan Assembly officials said that after the ECP’s decision about re-polling, Kha­liq Achakzai had been de­­prived of the Balochis­tan Assembly speaker’s post.

“Khaliq Achakzai is no longer speaker of the Balo­chistan Assembly,” the as­­sembly officials said, adding that the speaker’s election would be held after the re-election at the 12 contested polling stations.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2024

Opinion

The price of chocolate

The price of chocolate

Little attention is paid to any long-term strategy which might prevent vulnerable children from working in homes where they are in danger.

Editorial

Cholistan project
Updated 18 Feb, 2025

Cholistan project

GPI goals align with Pakistan's broader economic aims but the manner in which the initiative was launched raises questions.
Right to know
18 Feb, 2025

Right to know

IT is an unfortunate paradox that while on paper Pakistan has some of the most impressive right to information laws,...
Dam dispute
18 Feb, 2025

Dam dispute

THE situation in Chilas needs attention and a fair-minded approach so that it can be resolved amicably. Diamer ...
Climate funding gap
Updated 17 Feb, 2025

Climate funding gap

Pakistan must boost its institutional capacity to develop bankable climate projects.
UN monitoring report
Updated 17 Feb, 2025

UN monitoring report

Pakistan must press Kabul diplomatically over its tolerance of TTP terrorism.
Tax policy reform
17 Feb, 2025

Tax policy reform

THE cabinet’s decision to create a Tax Policy Office at the finance ministry has raised hopes that tax policy is...