TUESDAY: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) dealt a significant blow to PTI’s parliamentary influence on Tuesday, disqualifying several key opposition figures on the anniversary of Imran Khan’s arrest, which triggered nationwide protests. The decision followed a recent ruling by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Faisalabad, where over 100 PTI leaders and workers, including prominent figures, were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for their involvement in the May 9 riots. These riots were sparked by Khan’s dramatic arrest in 2023.
Among those disqualified were Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz, National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan, Sunni Ittehad Council chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and PTI Parliamentary Leader Zartaj Gul. Three members of the Punjab Assembly—Muhammad Ansar Iqbal, Junaid Afzal Sahi, and Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal—were also affected.
The ECP issued a formal notification under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution, which disqualifies anyone convicted of a moral turpitude-related offence and sentenced to at least two years in prison from holding an elected office. The article states that individuals convicted of such crimes are barred from being elected or holding a parliamentary seat unless five years have passed since their release.
With this ruling, all the disqualified lawmakers’ seats have now become vacant. They were found guilty by the ATC for their roles in the May 9 unrest, when PTI supporters, enraged by Khan’s arrest outside the Islamabad High Court, stormed military installations, including memorials for martyrs. The PTI had previously warned that any attempt to arrest Khan would cross its “red line.”
The aftermath of the incident saw the military label May 9 as a “Black Day” and described it as a “dark chapter” in Pakistan’s history. However, PTI has maintained that the events were part of a “false-flag operation” orchestrated by the establishment to frame the party and suppress opposition.
The ECP’s action came as PTI was reigniting protests to mark the second anniversary of Khan’s arrest. The disqualifications have further consolidated the power of the PML-N-led ruling alliance in parliament, deepening the political vacuum and further weakening the opposition.
In response to the ECP’s ruling, Ayub expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly. He criticized the court’s decision, calling it a “bogus verdict” handed down by ATC Faisalabad Judge Sheikh Javed Iqbal. Ayub argued that the judge had relied on evidence rejected by an ATC in Sargodha, which had acquitted him and others involved. He declared that the verdict highlighted the absence of the rule of law in Pakistan.
Ayub also asserted that the government and its supporters were disturbed by his stance as opposition leader, where he held them accountable and spoke the truth. He vowed to challenge both the ATC verdict and the ECP disqualification in court, hoping that Chief Justice Yahya Afridi would address the state of Pakistan’s judiciary. He ended by reaffirming his commitment to Imran Khan and PTI, stating, “I was, I am, and I will be a worker of Imran Khan and PTI.”
