ECP Drops the Hammer: High-Profile Convictions Trigger Disqualifications
Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub Zartaj Gul Among 9 Disqualified Following Terrorism Verdict
Islamabad:-(Mudassar Iqbal)-In a significant political development, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has de-notified the membership of nine lawmakers — including prominent leaders such as Senator Syed Shibli Faraz and MNA Omar Ayub Khan — following their conviction in cases tried under anti-terrorism laws.
According to a notification issued by the ECP on August 5, 2025 (No.F.17(8)/2025-Coord. (M/F)), the disqualification follows the verdicts of the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Faisalabad dated July 31, 2025, in three separate cases:
- Case No. 43/ATC/FSD/2023, Trial No. 77/ATC/FSD/2024: State vs Muhammad Ali etc
- Case No. 45/ATC/FSD/2023, Trial No. 76/ATC/FSD/2024: State vs Asif etc
- Case No. 47/ATC/FSD/2023, Trial No. 78/ATC/FSD/2024: State vs Awais Akbar
The convicted individuals who now stand disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution include:
- Senator Syed Shibli Faraz
- Omar Ayub Khan, MNA from NA-18 Haripur
- Rai Haider Ali Khan, MNA from NA-96 Faisalabad-II
- Sahibzada Muhammad Hamid Raza, MNA from NA-104 Faisalabad-X
- Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan, MNA from NA-143 Sahiwal-III
- Zartaj Gul, MNA from NA-185 D.G Khan-II
- Muhammad Ansar Iqbal, MPA from PP-73 Sargodha-III
- Junaid Afzal Sahi, MPA from PP-98 Faisalabad-I
- Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal, MPA from PP-203 Sahiwal-VI
The ECP has officially declared their seats vacant with immediate effect.
The disqualification under Article 63(1)(h) pertains to convictions involving moral turpitude or offenses under the law, leading to a sentence of not less than two years.
The de-notification may have wide political implications, particularly for the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), as several of the disqualified members are affiliated with the party.
The official order was signed by Deputy Director (Coordination) Muhammad Asad Ali and marks one of the most sweeping disqualification actions in recent years.
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