Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz move PHC against ECP disqualification ruling

Peshawar (Web Desk): Several top leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), including opposition heads in both houses of Parliament, Senator Shibli Faraz in the Senate and Omar Ayub Khan in the National Assembly, on Tuesday approached the Peshawar High Court (PHC) to challenge the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision disqualifying them following convictions in May 9 cases.

The legal petitions filed by the PTI leaders seek to overturn the ECP's ruling that declared them ineligible for holding public office.

In their separate pleas, the two senior PTI leaders argued that the ECP had acted beyond its jurisdiction, asserting that the body’s decision lacked legal merit.

Their move comes a day after the ECP on Tuesday issued notifications disqualifying a total of nine PTI lawmakers, citing court convictions related to the May 9 incidents as the basis for their removal.

Those stripped of their parliamentary status are five members of the National Assembly include 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).

Meanwhile, three members from the Punjab Assembly—Muhammad Ansar Iqbal (PP-73 Sargodha-III), Junaid Afzal (PP-98 Faisalabad-I), and Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal (PP-203 Sahiwal-VI)—along with Senator Shibli Faraz were also de-notified.

These disqualifications came in the wake of a verdict issued by a special anti-terrorism court in Faisalabad, which handed down 10-year prison terms to several PTI members for their involvement in the violence that erupted on May 9, 2023.

The court concluded the trial of 185 accused individuals, convicting 108 and acquitting 77, including notable figures such as former minister Fawad Chaudhry, Zain Qureshi, and Khayal Kastro.

Meanwhile, former federal minister Zartaj Gul, also convicted by the ATC, was granted protective bail by the PHC. In her plea, Zartaj expressed her intention to challenge the conviction in the Lahore High Court (LHC) and sought bail to prevent arrest before filing the appeal. After hearing the arguments, the court approved her request, enabling her to pursue further legal remedies.

Reacting to the series of developments, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan strongly criticised the ECP. He accused the election body of exceeding its mandate and questioned its authority to issue disqualifications without due legal process.

Gohar highlighted that the ECP is currently functioning under a stay order and insisted that the disqualifications are politically motivated. He affirmed that the party would exhaust all legal avenues to contest the decision.

While speaking to newsmen, Gohar also addressed the recent demonstrations held across the country on August 5, claiming they took place in 170 districts, tehsils, and union councils.