The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday continued its spree of disqualifying Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers, de-notifying nine more, including Senate opposition leader Shibli Faraz and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, following their convictions in May 9, 2023 cases.
In a notification, the electoral body noted anti-terrorism courts had found the lawmakers guilty in the May 9 cases and sentenced them to imprisonment. From the National Assembly, it disqualified Omar Ayub, NA-18; Rai Hassan Nawaz, NA-143; Zartaj Gul, NA-185; Rai Haider Ali, NA-96; and Sahibzada Hamid Raza, NA-104. From the Senate, Shibli Faraz was disqualified, while from the Punjab Assembly, Muhammad Ansar Iqbal, PP-73; Junaid Afzal, PP-98; and Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal, PP-203 were de-notified.
The ECP said the lawmakers were disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution, which states that any person convicted and sentenced for no less than two years stands disqualified.
Last week, an anti-terrorism court in Faisalabad had sentenced several PTI leaders, including Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Zartaj Gul and others to 10 years’ imprisonment in connection with a May 9 case. Overall, the court had convicted 108 of the 185 accused.
Last week, the ECP had disqualified Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Bhachar, MNA Abdul Latif from Chitral, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, and MNA Mohammad Ahmed Chattha for their separate convictions in May 9 cases.
The PTI has criticized the disqualifications, noting the convicted individuals have the right to appeal and their sentences have not attained finality. Vowing to appeal the sentenced before higher court, the party has claimed the speedy disqualifications undermine democracy and judicial independence.
Following the arrest of PTI Patron-in-Chief Imran Khan, thousands of party leaders and workers took to the streets, subsequently dubbed the May 9, 2023 riots. The unrest saw the demonstrators attack several public properties and military installations, including the Lahore Corps Commander House.