ECP disqualifies Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub, seven other PTI lawmakers

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has disqualified nine lawmakers affiliated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), including Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz and National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub.

Others disqualified include Sunni Ittehad Council head Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Zartaj Gul and Junaid Afzal Sahi. The ECP also disqualified Rai Hassan Nawaz, Rai Murtaza Iqbal, Rai Haider Ali and Ansar Iqbal. A notification issued by the commission confirmed their disqualification and declared their seats vacant.

As per the decision, one Senate seat and five National Assembly seats now stand vacant, along with three seats in the Punjab Assembly.

A special anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Faislabad sentenced top Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders to up to 10 years in prison in cases pertaining to May 9 protests.

Opposition leader in National Assembly Omar Ayub, opposition leader in Senate Shibli Faraz, Zartaj Gul, MNA Sahibzada Hamid Raza and former MNA Sheikh Rashid Shafiq were among the 108 PTI leaders convicted out of the 185 implicated in the cases while 77 others were acquitted.

According to the notification issued by Election Commission on Tuesday, the Senate seat from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa held by Senator Shibli Faraz has been declared vacant. The following National and Provincial Assembly seats have also been vacated:

• NA-18 Haripur: Omar Ayub

• NA-96 Faisalabad: Rai Haider Ali Khan

• NA-104 Faisalabad: Sahibzada Muhammad Hamid Raza

• NA-143 Sahiwal: Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan

• NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan: Zartaj Gul

• PP-73 Sargodha: Muhammad Ansar Iqbal

• PP-98 Faisalabad: Junaid Afzal Sahi

• PP-203 Sahiwal: Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal

It must be mentioned that last week, the ECP issued disqualification notifications for four PTI lawmakers: Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, Abdul Latif Chitrali, MNA Muhammad Ahmad Chattha, and Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Ahmad Khan Bhachar, following their convictions by an anti-terrorism court.

Chattha was elected from NA-66 Wazirabad, Bhachar represented PP-87 Mianwali in the Punjab Assembly, while Abdul Latif Chitrali was elected from National Assembly seat NA-1, Upper and Lower Chitral.

Read More: Punjab opposition leader, PTI supporters sentenced to 10 years in May 9 case

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Sargodha sentenced Bhachar and other PTI workers to 10 years in prison each. Later, the ATC in Lahore acquitted six PTI leaders, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Hamza Azeem, in connection with the May 9 riots, while sentencing 10 others, including Dr Yasmin Rashid, to 10 years in prison.

The court delivered its verdict in the case concerning inflammatory speeches and vandalism at the Sherpao Bridge. The court, which had completed final arguments from both the defence and prosecution, reserved its decision before announcing the ruling.

May 9 Riots

The May 9 riots erupted nationwide following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, after which PTI leaders and workers staged protests targeting both civil and military installations, including Jinnah House and the GHQ in Rawalpindi. The military condemned the events as a "Black Day" and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act.

As a result of the unrest, many PTI members were arrested and tried in military courts. In December, a military court convicted 25 individuals, including Imran Khan’s nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi, and later sentenced 60 more.

Also Read: Imran involved in May 9 conspiracy, rules LHC

In January, 19 convicts had their sentences pardoned following successful mercy appeals, although PTI expressed dissatisfaction over the limited number of pardons.

The military trials had initially been halted following a Supreme Court ruling but were resumed following the court's instructions to finalise pending cases and announce judgments for those involved in the violent incidents.