QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Thursday accepted petitions filed by five political parties seeking the postponement of the upcoming local government (LG) elections in Quetta district, scheduled to be held on December 28. The court’s decision has added uncertainty to the electoral process in the provincial capital just over a week before polling day.
The petitions were filed by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Awami National Party (ANP) and Pashtoonkhwa National Awami Party (PkNAP). Notably, PPP, PML-N and BAP are key allies in the PPP-led coalition government in Balochistan.
Chief Justice Muhammad Kamran Mullahkhail heard the petitions in his chamber and, after preliminary consideration, accepted them for regular hearing. The court issued notices to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the Balochistan Election Commission, seeking their responses to the pleas. The matter has been adjourned until December 23 for further proceedings.
While the detailed arguments of the petitioners were not discussed in open court, the parties have reportedly raised concerns over administrative preparedness, alleged irregularities in electoral arrangements and what they describe as an uneven political playing field. They have argued that holding the polls under the prevailing circumstances could compromise the transparency and fairness of the electoral process in Quetta.
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Officials of the Election Commission have yet to formally respond to the court’s notices. However, the ECP has previously maintained that preparations for the local government elections across Balochistan, including Quetta, were being completed in accordance with the law and the announced schedule.
The acceptance of the petitions has sparked debate within political circles, particularly because three coalition partners of the provincial government are among the petitioners. Analysts note that this development reflects internal political differences over the timing and conduct of local government polls, which have already been delayed multiple times in the province.
BHC Chief Justice Muhammad Kamran Mullahkhail heard the petitions in his chamber, accepted the petitions and fixed Dec 23 as the next date of hearing.https://t.co/3lo0bLp0st
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 19, 2025
Local government elections are widely viewed as a crucial step toward devolving power to the grassroots level and addressing civic and municipal issues in urban centres such as Quetta. The delay or postponement of the polls could further prolong the absence of elected local representatives in the provincial capital.
With the next hearing scheduled for December 23, just five days before the planned polling date, the court’s eventual decision is expected to have a significant impact on the election timeline. Until then, uncertainty persists regarding whether the December 28 polls will proceed as scheduled or be deferred once again.
Political parties, civil society groups and election observers are closely watching the proceedings, as the outcome may set an important precedent for the conduct of local government elections in Balochistan.
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