GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court on Friday rejected Istekham-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) candidate Imam Malik’s appeal against GB Election Tribunal judge Mushtaq Mohammad’s decision to suspend his membership and declare Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Attaullah Shah the returned candidate from constituency GBA-16 Diamer-II.

The Supreme Appellate Court also directed the GB Election Tribunal to hear the objections of both parties and decide the matter accordingly. IPP candidate Imam Malik had filed an election appeal in the Supreme Appellate Court, challenging the order passed by the GB Election Tribunal.

Earlier, GB Election Tribunal judge Mushtaq Mohammad had heard a petition filed by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Attaullah Shah, challenging the general election result of the constituency.

The petitioner had argued that the returning officer had issued Form-49 without counting postal votes and subsequently the GB chief election commissioner (CEC) had declared Imam Malik, an independent candidate, successful on the seat. He later joined the IPP.

On September 11, GB Election Tribunal judge Mushtaq Mohammad suspended the membership of IPP member Imam Malik and directed the returning officer (RO) of the constituency to complete the counting of postal ballot papers.

On September 13, acting upon the GB Election Tribunal’s order, verification and counting were conducted. The final consolidated result, Form-49, released by the GB Election Commission showed that Shah garnered 6,618 votes, beating the first runner-up, IPP candidate Imam Malik, by 13 votes.

However, on September 14, GB Supreme Appellate Court judge Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan had suspended the Election Tribunal judge Mushtaq Mohammad’s decision while admitting the appeal of IPP candidate Imam Malik against the tribunal’s decision.

On Thursday, after hearing arguments from both sides, GB Supreme Appellate Court Chief Judge Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan reserved the verdict. He announced the decision on Friday.

Islamuddin, counsel for PPP candidate Attaullah Shah, told Dawn that the GB Supreme Appellate Court had finally served justice.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2026