PTI lawmakers challenge ECP disqualification order in PHC

Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders have approached the Peshawar High Court (PHC) to contest the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) decision to disqualify them following convictions in May 9-related cases.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub and Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz filed separate petitions, requesting the court to nullify the ECP’s ruling.

The petitioners argued that the electoral body lacks the legal authority to issue disqualification notifications independently.

The legal action follows the ECP’s move to de-notify nine PTI legislators—five MNAs, one senator, and three Punjab Assembly members—after they were convicted in cases linked to the May 9, 2023, unrest.

Among those disqualified were 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). Punjab Assembly members de-notified include Muhammad Ansar Iqbal (PP-73 Sargodha-III), Junaid Afzal (PP-98 Faisalabad-I), and Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal (PP-203 Sahiwal-VI).

The disqualifications came after a special anti-terrorism court in Faisalabad sentenced several PTI leaders to 10-year prison terms. Of the 185 accused in the cases, 108 were convicted while 77 were acquitted, including former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry.