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

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has disqualified nine lawmakers, including senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Senator Shibli Faraz and MNA Omar Ayub, after their convictions in various cases.

According to an official statement issued by the ECP, the disqualifications were notified on May 9, and the seats held by the concerned individuals have been declared vacant.

The disqualified lawmakers include five members of the National Assembly, one senator, and three members of the Punjab Assembly.

Among those disqualified are Rai Haider Ali, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Rai Hassan Nawaz, and former federal minister Zartaj Gul.

From the Punjab Assembly, the ECP has also disqualified Ansar Iqbal, Junaid Afzal, and Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal.

May 9 riots: ATC convicts 108 PTI workers, hands 10-year sentences to key leaders

On July 31, the Faisalabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) delivered verdicts in three separate May 9 cases, convicting a total of 196 individuals.

Among those sentenced to 10 years in prison were prominent politicians including Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Zartaj Gul, and Member of the National Assembly Sahibzada Hamid Raza.

Another defendant, Junaid Afzal Sahi, received a three-year sentence. Earlier, in a separate but related ruling, the special court had sentenced 168 other accused individuals to 10 years each.