The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has disqualified nine PTI lawmakers following their convictions in the May 9 violence cases. The decision came in compliance with orders from the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Faisalabad, which found them guilty in three separate cases.
According to the official ECP notification issued on August 5, 2025, the convictions were handed down by the ATC on July 31, 2025. The lawmakers were sentenced to prison terms in connection with violent incidents linked to the May 9 unrest.
The constitutional basis for the PTI lawmakers’ disqualification lies in Article 63(1)(h), which prohibits any person convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude and sentenced to more than two years in jail from holding parliamentary office, unless granted relief by a court.
Those removed from office include:
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Senator Syed Shibli Faraz, Opposition Leader in the Senate
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Omar Ayub Khan, MNA from NA-18 Haripur and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly
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Rai Haider Ali Khan, MNA from NA-96 Faisalabad-II
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Sahibzada Muhammad Hamid Raza, MNA from NA-104 Faisalabad-X
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Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan, MNA from NA-143 Sahiwal-II
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Zartaj Gul, MNA from NA-185 D.G Khan-II
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Muhammad Ansar Iqbal, MPA from PP-73 Sargodha-II
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Junaid Afzal Sahi, MPA from PP-98 Faisalabad-I
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Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal, MPA from PP-203 Sahiwal-VI
With this verdict, all nine have lost their seats in the Senate, National Assembly, and provincial assemblies. The ECP confirmed that these positions are now vacant and announced that by-elections will be scheduled according to legal requirements.
The disqualification of PTI leaders marks a significant legal setback for the party. The ECP stressed that the implementation followed constitutional provisions, ensuring that individuals convicted of serious crimes cannot continue as public representatives. This action not only affects PTI’s parliamentary strength but also reinforces the principle of accountability for elected officials.
