Adil Khan Bazai

Adil Khan Bazai , also known as Malak Adil Khan Bazai, is a Pakistani politician who has been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since February 2024, representing the constituency of NA-262 Quetta-I. Prior to his election to the National Assembly, he served as an Advisor to the Chief Minister of Balochistan.

Early life and education Adil Khan Bazai was born in Quetta, Balochistan. He belongs to the Bazai family, a notable family based in Mohalla Bazai Qila, Airport Road, Quetta. He received his education in Quetta.

Political career

Advisor to Chief Minister Balochistan Before entering national politics, Adil Khan Bazai served as an Advisor to the Chief Minister of Balochistan. He was active in Balochistan's political landscape for several years before contesting general elections.

2024 General Election In the 2024 Pakistani general election, Bazai contested from NA-262 Quetta-I as an independent candidate with the support of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He won the seat with 20,278 votes, defeating the runner-up Malik Sikandar Khan of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), who received 12,887 votes.

Party affiliation controversy After the election, Bazai claimed to have joined the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), in line with the practice of most other PTI-supported independent candidates. He posted a photograph of a signed affidavit confirming his membership of the SIC on X. However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the official records of the National Assembly stated that he had joined Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N).

26th Constitutional Amendment and disqualification Like other SIC members, Bazai did not vote in favour of the 26th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan. As a result, Nawaz Sharif, the president of PML-N, filed a reference with Ayaz Sadiq, the Speaker of the National Assembly, seeking Bazai's disqualification on grounds of floor-crossing. On 21 October 2024, Sadiq wrote to the ECP requesting Bazai's disqualification. On 21 November 2024, the ECP officially disqualified Bazai and declared his seat vacant.

Supreme Court reinstatement Bazai challenged the ECP's disqualification order in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. On 9 December 2024, the Supreme Court suspended the ECP's order and provisionally reinstated his membership. In its final ruling on 12 December 2024, the Supreme Court overturned the ECP's disqualification decision and restored Bazai's National Assembly membership as an independent candidate, rather than as a member of PML-N. Subsequently, the ECP issued a formal notification reinstating Bazai as the independent returned candidate from NA-262 Quetta-I.

Electoral history

Election Constituency Party Votes Result 2024 NA-262 Quetta-I PTI 20,278