The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has raised legal objections regarding the constitutional status of Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, according to ARY News.
In a legal notice, Hafeez Advocate representing JUI-F argued that Sarfaraz Bugti had previously served as the caretaker setup’s Home Minister for a duration of six months. Under constitutional provisions, caretaker cabinet members are prohibited from participating in upcoming elections, the JUI-F leader contended.
Maintaining that Sarfaraz Bugti’s election campaign and subsequent victory from the Balochistan Assembly seat are unlawful, Hafeez Advocate asserted that Bugti is currently occupying the office of Chief Minister Balochistan unconstitutionally.
Sarfraz Bugti was sworn in as Chief Minister Balochistan on March 2 after being elected unopposed. His candidacy, backed by a joint alliance of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), secured 41 votes in the CM election, with other parties abstaining from participation.
In December 2023, Sarfraz Bugti resigned from his position as Caretaker Interior Minister to contest the general elections in 2024. Subsequently, he joined the PPP and ran for election from PB-10 Dera Bugti. The legal challenge by JUI-F adds a new dimension to Bugti’s tenure as Chief Minister, sparking debates over the interpretation of constitutional provisions and the legitimacy of his election victory.
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