In a major political development, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has de-notified nine lawmakers from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), including Senate opposition leader Shibli Faraz and National Assembly opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan, following their conviction in cases related to the May 9 riots.
According to the official notification, the lawmakers were convicted by an anti-terrorism court and sentenced to imprisonment, which led to their disqualification under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution. The disqualified legislators include five MNAs, one senator, and three MPAs from Punjab.
The affected MNAs are Omar Ayub (NA-18 Haripur), Rai Hassan Nawaz (NA-143 Sahiwal-III), Zartaj Gul (NA-185 DG Khan-II), Rai Haider Ali (NA-96 Faisalabad-II), and Sahibzada Hamid Raza (NA-104 Faisalabad-X). The MPAs include Muhammad Ansar Iqbal (PP-73 Sargodha-III), Junaid Afzal (PP-98 Faisalabad-I), and Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal (PP-203 Sahiwal-VI).
These convictions come after a special anti-terrorism court in Faisalabad sentenced 108 individuals, including top PTI figures, to 10 years in prison for their role in the violence that erupted following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 9, 2023.
The unrest saw attacks on state and military buildings, including the Corps Commander House in Lahore. The disqualified lawmakers are among several party leaders facing legal challenges amid PTI’s ongoing protests demanding the release of its founder, Imran Khan, who has completed two years in jail.
