PHC stops appointments of new opposition leaders in parliament
PHC issues stay order, stopping new opposition leader appointments after PTI leaders’ disqualification in May 9 cases.
Peshawar – (Special – Correspondent / Web Desk) – The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday stopped the process of appointing new opposition leaders in the National Assembly (NA) and Senate. The court issued a stay order after the recent disqualification and removal of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz from their posts.
On August 5, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified Ayub, Faraz, and several other PTI lawmakers — including MNAs and MPAs — over their convictions in three cases linked to the May 9, 2023 riots.
Just three days later, on August 8, the NA and Senate secretariats officially removed both leaders from their parliamentary positions through separate notifications.
Earlier today, a division bench comprising Justice Arshad Ali and Justice Dr Khurshid Iqbal heard petitions filed by Ayub and Faraz challenging their removal. PTI interim chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan appeared in court as their lawyer.
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The bench issued notices to the ECP and other concerned parties, directing them not to appoint new opposition leaders in either house until the next hearing. Both seats remain vacant. The case will resume on August 15 (Friday), when the court expects replies from all respondents.
This isn’t the first time the PHC has intervened in the matter. On August 6, another bench — led by Justice Ali and Justice Farah Jamshed — had barred the ECP from taking action against Ayub and Faraz. However, that order came a day after their disqualification, rendering it ineffective.
The court has also granted protective bail to Ayub, Faraz, and PTI leader Zartaj Gul until August 20 in connection with the same cases.
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