- The three legislators disqualified under article 63, paragraph 1, h).
- Chatha elected from the constituency of NA-66 Wazirabad.
- Bashar represented PP-87 Mianwali at Punjab.
Islamabad: The Pakistan Electoral Commission (ECP) disqualified the head of the opposition of the Punjab assembly, Malik Ahmed Khan Bashar and Pakistan Tehreek-E-insaf (PTI) Mna Mohammad Ahmed Chattha following their convictions in a case of vandalism linked to the riots of May 9.
According to the notification issued by the electoral guard dog, an anti-terrorism court recognized the two guilty legislators and sentenced them to 10 years in prison.
“Consequently, Chattha, MNA of NA-66 Wazirabad and, Ahmad Khan, MPa of the PP-87 Mianwali-LLL, have become disqualified under article 63 (1) (h) (h) of the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to be members of the National Assembly and the Provincial Assembly of Punjab respectively” national and the provincial assembly of Punjab respectively, “said non-noun-assembly.
Consequently, the ECP said, the notification insofar as Ahmed Chattha and Ahmad Khan as a return candidates are recalled with immediate effect.
The case was registered in Mianwali for vandalism and riots linked to the demonstrations launched by the arrest of the founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan of the PTI in a corruption case on May 9, 2023.
In a related development, the ECP also published a disqualification notification of Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, which was also sentenced to 10 years by anti-terrorism court.
The commission said that after its conviction, Chaudhry no longer meets the criteria to remain a senator under article 63, paragraph h) of the Constitution.
May 9
The events of May 9, 2023 refer to the violent protests which broke out in several parts of the country following the arrest of the founder of the PTI and saw attacks against public properties and military installations, including the commander of the Corps House Lahore, also known as Jinnah House.
The riots were triggered by the arrest of ex-Prime Khan of the premises of the High Court of Islamabad (IHC) in a case of transplant.
Several leaders and workers of the PTI were released on bail after their arrests, while many remain behind bars.
The fallen Prime Minister, who was ousted from power through the motion without confidence in opposition in April 2022, has been behind bars since August 2023 when he faced a multitude of accusations ranging from corruption to terrorism.
