PTI's three lawmakers dismissed from NA positions

The National Assembly dismissed three of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders from their key parliamentary responsibilities on Friday after their disqualification announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) following their conviction by an anti-terrorism court in the May 9 riots cases.

In the latest move, opposition leader Omar Ayub has been dismissed from the post of the opposition head.

Zartaj Gul and Ahmed Chattha, who had been serving as parliamentary leader and deputy parliamentary leader, respectively, were also removed. 

The development came after the ECP disqualified at least nine lawmakers of PTI in both upper and lower houses on Tuesday.

Read: PTI lawmakers challenge ECP disqualification order in PHC

Those sent to the home included the NA Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz, MNAs Zartaj Gul, Rai Haider Ali Khan, and Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan.

Sunni Ittehad Council chief Hamid Raza, a key ally of PTI, alongside PTI’s three MPAs Muhammad Ansar Iqbal, Junaid Afzal Sahi, and Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal. 

The ECP’s notice declared their seats vacant, on which by-elections are anticipated to be held. 

The chamber allocated to the opposition party was also taken back, and the house was also informed about the mover. However, the consultation between the opposition and the speaker of the assembly continues regarding appointing a new opposition leader.  

Read: PTI suffers major setback as ECP disqualifies 9 lawmakers including top leaders

Earlier this week, an anti-terrorism court in Faisalabad sentenced at least 108 individuals to 10 years of imprisonment over their involvement in the May 9 riots sparked after the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan in the corruption case.

PTI Parliamentary leader in the Senate, Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, described the spree as a part of “illegal moves” targeting specific PTI lawmakers or judicial determination.