Islamabad:
The Pakistan Electoral Commission (ECP) has issued disqualification notifications for three legislators from Pakistan Tehreek-E-insaf (PTI), including senator Ejaz Chaudhry, following their convictions by anti-terrorism court.
In a notification issued on Monday, the ECP confirmed the disqualification of Chaudhry, Mna Muhammad Ahmad Chattha and the opposition chief of the Punjab assembly, Ahmad Khan Bhachar. All three were sentenced to 10 -year -old prison terms under anti -terrorist accusations.
Senator Chaudhry was found guilty by a short anti -terrorist and is no longer eligible to remain a member of the Senate under article 63, paragraph 1, h) of the Constitution, said the ECP. “The anti-terrorism court said Ejaz Chaudhry guilty and sentenced it to ten years,” said the notification.
Find out more: Shah Mahmood Qureshi acquitted, Yasmin Rashid sentenced to 10 years
The ECP also disqualified Mna Chattha and Mpa Bhachar, citing similar convictions. Chattha was elected from NA-66 Wazirabad, while Bhachar represented PP-87 Mianwali in the Assembly of Punjab.
Last week, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) of Sargodha sentenced Bhachar and other PTI workers to 10 years in prison each.
Meanwhile, ATC Lahore acquitted six PTI leaders, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Hamza Azeem, as part of the May 9 riots, while condemning 10 others, including Dr. Yasmin Rashid, at 10 years in prison.
Read also: Imran involved in May 9 plot, LHC rules
The court rendered its verdict in the case concerning inflammatory speeches and vandalism at the Sherpao bridge. The court, which had finished the final arguments of defense and prosecution, reserved its decision before announcing the decision.
The verdict said the ATC has acquitted Qureshi, Azeem and four other accused due to insufficient evidence. However, the court recognized 10 other culprits and sentenced 10 years in prison for their role in the violence which followed the arrest of the founder of the PTI, Imran Khan.
May 9 riots
The May 9 riots broke out nationally after the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, after which PTI managers and workers organized demonstrations targeting civil and military facilities, including the Jinnah and GHQ in Rawalpindi. The soldiers condemned events as “Black Day” and decided to try the demonstrators under the Army Act.
Following the troubles, many members of the PTI were arrested and tried before the military courts. In December, a military court sentenced 25 people, including the nephew of Imran Khan, Hassan Khan Niazi, then sentenced 60 others.
In January, 19 convicts had forgiven their convictions following successful mercy calls, although PTI expressed its dissatisfaction on the limited number of pardons. The military trials had initially been interrupted following a decision of the Supreme Court, but resumed following the instructions of the court to finalize the matters pending and announce judgments for the persons involved in violent incidents.
