The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken a decisive step by disqualifying nine lawmakers belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), citing a ruling issued by an anti-terrorism court in Faisalabad.
Among the disqualified leaders are key opposition figures: Senate Opposition Leader Syed Shibli Faraz and National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan. The disqualification also extends to high-profile PTI members and allies, including:
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Sahibzada Muhammad Hamid Raza, leader of the Sunni Ittehad Council
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Zartaj Gul, former federal minister
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Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan
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Rai Murtaza Iqbal
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Rai Haider Ali Khan
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Junaid Afzal Sahi
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Muhammad Ansar Iqbal
An official notification from the ECP confirmed the lawmakers’ disqualification and declared their respective seats in the Senate, National Assembly, and Punjab Assembly as vacant.
Seats Declared Vacant:
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Senate (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa): Shibli Faraz
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National Assembly:
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NA-18 Haripur – Omar Ayub
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NA-96 Faisalabad – Rai Haider Ali Khan
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NA-104 Faisalabad – Sahibzada Hamid Raza
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NA-143 Sahiwal – Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan
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NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan – Zartaj Gul
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Punjab Assembly:
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PP-73 Sargodha – Muhammad Ansar Iqbal
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PP-98 Faisalabad – Junaid Afzal Sahi
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PP-203 Sahiwal – Rai Murtaza Iqbal
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This mass disqualification comes as a significant blow to the PTI and its allied political structure. It also sets the stage for upcoming by-elections that could reshape the parliamentary dynamics in the months ahead.