| Citation(s) |
|---|
| 2026 SLD 3622 |
Writ Petition No. 947 of 2025
Presented By: (KHADIM HUSSAIN SOOMRO) JUDGE
Petitioner by : In Person.
Respondents by: Hafiz Ehsan Ahmed Khokhar, Advocate for
Respondent No.4, Ms. Zainab Samantash, Advocate for
Respondent No.1, 2 and 3. Mr. Rashid Hafeez, Additional Attorney General for Pakistan and Mr. Azmat Bashir Tarar, Assistant Attorney General. Ms. Asma Siddique, Section officer (Legal), Gilgit-Baltistan Council, Islamabad. Date of hearing: 03.06.2025
Mastan Wali Khan
VERSUS
Prime Minister of Pakistan/Chairman, Gilgit-Baltistan Council through its Principal Secretary PM Secretariat, etc
Law: Constitution of Pakistan 1973
Section: 199
Law: Government of Gilgit-Baltistan Order, 2018
Section: 97(1)
Tagline
Islamabad High Court lacks jurisdiction to hear challenges regarding the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner, Gilgit-Baltistan, as the cause of action and subject matter exclusively relate to Gilgit-Baltistan.
Summary
The petitioner challenged the re-appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gilgit-Baltistan, alleging that it was unlawfully made by a caretaker federal government without meaningful consultation, violating constitutional principles of independence and impartiality. The petitioner sought declarations that the appointment was void and requested initiation of a fresh appointment process.
The respondents raised a preliminary objection that the Islamabad High Court lacked territorial jurisdiction because the office of the CEC, the appointment, oath, and official functions were all situated in Gilgit-Baltistan under the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan Order, 2018.