BAGH; The Azad Kashmir Election Tribunal has declared the election results of constituency LA-16 (Sharqi Bagh) null and void, disqualifying Akbar Khan, a minister in the Azad Kashmir government.
The tribunal, presided over by Judge Hafiz Muhammad Akram, announced the verdict on Tuesday in response to an election petition filed by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Qamar ul Zaman. The petition had challenged Akbar Khan’s victory in the 2021 general elections.
In its ruling, the tribunal stated that the elections in LA-16 were neither fair nor transparent and did not adhere to legal and constitutional requirements. The court emphasized that there was sufficient reason to invalidate the results based on irregularities and lack of impartiality in the electoral process.
As a result of the verdict, Akbar Khan has not only lost his legislative seat but has also been disqualified from holding the position of minister. The tribunal has ordered fresh elections to be conducted in the constituency.
