Gilgit-Baltistan tribunal suspends Malik Imam's seat and orders postal ballot recount

A Gilgit-Baltistan election tribunal on Friday nullified the provisional result for constituency GBA-16 Diamer-II, suspending Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party member Malik Imam’s assembly seat. The decision followed a petition by Pakistan Peoples Party candidate Attaullah Khan, who argued the returning officer had issued Form 49 without counting postal ballots. Justice Mushtaq Ahmed found the returning officer lacked authority to issue a provisional consolidated result and that the chief election commissioner erred by declaring a winner on that basis.

The tribunal ordered the sealed parcel of postal ballots to be opened and counted in the presence of senior civil judge Fahad Bin Naqeeb, assistant registrar Raja Mir, and tribunal staff, with police ensuring security. The final consolidated result must be prepared and submitted to the chief election commissioner within five days, after which a fresh declaration will be issued.