ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – In a major political development, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has disqualified nine lawmakers, including Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Umar Ayub and Senate opposition leader Shibli Faraz.
The disqualifications were announced following convictions issued by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Faisalabad.
According to ECP sources, other disqualified members include Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Zartaj Gul, Rai Haider Ali, Junaid Afzal Sahi, Rai Hassan Murtaza, and Ansar Iqbal. A formal notification has been issued by the commission, declaring these members ineligible to hold public office.
The disqualification was executed under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution, which bars individuals from Parliament if convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude.
Disqualification over May 9 attacks cases
The ECP cited the ATC Faisalabad’s verdict in its notification, noting that the concerned members had been convicted in connection with the May 9 violence cases. The court had sentenced each of them to prison terms of up to 10 years.
The ruling came just days after the ATC announced its decision in three separate cases related to the May 9 incidents, which involved protests and violence following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Vacant seats
Following the disqualification, the ECP has declared 11 seats in the National Assembly and Senate as vacant. These include the seats previously held by the disqualified members.
The convictions had named a total of 196 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and supporters, including the disqualified lawmakers, all of whom received prison sentences in connection with the 2023 unrest.
While the ECP has not yet announced dates for by-elections to fill the vacant seats, the disqualification of two opposition leaders could have significant political implications in the coming parliamentary sessions.
The action follows increasing legal scrutiny over the events of 9 May 2023, which continue to generate political ripples across Pakistan’s legislative and judicial landscape.
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