The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday restricted the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) from taking further action against disqualified Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposition leaders Shibli Faraz and Omar Ayub.
Both Faraz and Ayub had approached the PHC challenging their disqualifications by the ECP after their convictions in May 9 rioting cases. In its two-page order, the court issued notices to the ECP and other parties for the next hearing on Aug. 20.
According to the order, the petitioners were convicted while not being present in court. It said the petitioners had expressed intent to appeal their convictions in the Lahore High Court (LHC) and their convictions had not attained the finality necessary for the ultimate step of their disqualification.
Separately, the PHC granted protective bail to PTI leader Zartaj Gul, who was also disqualified following her conviction in a May 9 case. In her petition, Gul said she wished to appeal against her conviction in the LHC and was seeking protective bail to do so without fear of immediate arrest.
Earlier this week, the ECP de-notified nine PTI lawmakers following their convictions in May 9 cases. Apart from Gul, Ayub and Faraz, Rai Hassan Nawaz, NA-143; Rai Haider Ali, NA-96; Sahibzada Hamid Raza, NA0-104; Muhammad Ansar Iqbal, PP-73; Junaid Afzal, PP-98; and Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal, PP-203 were all de-notified.