ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Monday issued disqualification notifications of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, Member of National Assembly (MNA) Muhammad Ahmad Chattha and Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Ahmed Khan Bhachar.
According to a notification, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry was convicted by the Anti-Terrorism Court and sentenced to 10 years in prison; therefore, he has been disqualified from being a member of the Senate under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution.
“In pursuance of the order dated 22nd July, 2025, handed down by the Court of Arshad Javed, Judge Anti-Terrorism Court No. III, Lahore in FIR No. 97/2023 titled ‘The State Vs Dr Yasmeen Rashid, etc.” whereby Senator Ejaz Chaudhary had been convicted and sentenced for imprisonment of 10 years,” the notification reads.
It states, “as a consequence, Senator Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry, has become disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan for being member of Senate. Resultantly, notification No.F.3(2)/2021-Cord. dated 10th March, 2021 to the extent of Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhary, as Senator, is hereby recalled with immediate effect”.
Likewise, the ECP also issued a notification disqualifying PTI MNA Muhammad Ahmed Chattha. The reason for his disqualification is also his conviction by the anti-terrorism court, Sargodha and he that was sentenced to ten years in prison. Chattha was elected as an MNA from NA-66 Wazirabad constituency.
Similarly, Ahmad Khan Bachhar, who was elected from PP-87, Mianwali, was also notified as disqualified on the same grounds. The notification reads, “In pursuance of order dated 22-7-2025 passed by the court of Muhammad Naeem Sheikh, Special Judge, Anti-Terrorism Court Sargodha, in case No. 2606/SC/20-6-2023, Trial No 1003/T/ATC/26-8-2024 titled “The State Vs Zafar Ullah Khan & others” whereby Mohammad Ahmed Chattha, Member National Assembly from Constituency No NA-66 Wazirabad and Ahmad Khan, Member Provincial Assembly of Punjab from Constituency No PP-87 Mianwali-III have been convicted and sentenced for imprisonment of 10 years”.
“As a consequence, Mohammad Ahmed Chattha, MNA from NA-66 Wazirabad and Ahmad Khan, MPA, Provincial Assembly Punjab from PP-87 Mianwali-III have become disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan for being members of National Assembly and Provincial Assembly of Punjab, respectively. Resultantly, notification No. F.2(5)/2024-Cord (1) dated 16th February 2024 to the extent of Mohammad Ahmed Chattha and notification No.F.2(6)/2024-Cord dated 17th February, 2024 to the extent of Ahmad Khan as returned candidates, are hereby recalled with immediate effect,” it reads.
Separately, the ECP issued a notification of certificate regarding the intra-party elections, conducted by ‘All Pakistan Muttahida League’. According to the notification, Mrs Tehmina Amjad has been elected as its chairperson and Hassan Sarosh Akram as its president.
The notification reads, “In pursuance of Sections 208 & 209 (3) of the Elections Act, 2017, read with sub-rule (2) of Rule 158 of the Election Rules, 2017 thereof: the Election Commission of Pakistan is pleased to publish for public information, the Certificate containing the information with regard to conduct of intra party election on 26-5-2025, the details of election result, along with copy of notification showing the names, designations and addresses of the party’s office bearers, in respect of political party All Pakistan Muttahida League”.
Separately, Deputy Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Moin Riaz Qureshi wrote a letter to the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP), requesting immediate judicial intervention in the ongoing trials of PTI workers related to May 9 incidents of arson and terrorism.
In the four-page letter, he argued that these cases, registered in various cities, are creating constitutional and judicial crises. He criticised the Anti-Terrorism Courts for allegedly conducting proceedings with unusual speed, operating from early morning till late at night.
Moin Qureshi termed the cases political revenge against PTI workers and supporters. He demanded the protection of judicial independence, the right to legal counsel, fair trial timings, protection from physical and mental abuse of suspects, and investigations into alleged misuse of powers by the prosecution and police.
He also urged a review of questionable cases and restoration of constitutional guarantees, stating that the rule of law is impossible without an independent judiciary. Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan strongly criticised the disqualification drive against the party’s lawmakers on Monday, warning that such moves would not resolve the country’s political crisis and would only deepen democratic instability.
Speaking to the media, he said there were growing fears that 39 PTI parliamentarians might face disqualification, terming it a grave threat to democratic norms. “This will not bode well for democracy,” he remarked, urging all stakeholders to rise above personal egos and engage in meaningful political dialogue.
He accused the ruling coalition of systematically targeting PTI through a series of coercive measures, including the foreign funding case, denial of the party’s election symbol, and preventing PTI-backed candidates from contesting polls. “Even when our supported candidates won, their mandate was stolen — 77 reserved seats were snatched, and three victories were overturned in recounts,” he recalled.
Gohar claimed that with the possible disqualification of 39 more members, the total number of seats taken away from PTI would reach 120. “Do you want to take 120 seats without having the people’s mandate?” he questioned the government.
Calling the ongoing disqualifications an attempt to sideline PTI politically, he warned that such tactics would not bring stability. “If this continues, it might be better for our remaining members to resign, go home, and wait for a time when democratic values are truly respected,” he added.
Separately, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) Monday suspended a show-cause notice issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, and barred it from taking further action in the matter.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Ejaz Anwar and Justice Dr Khurshid Iqbal heard the petition filed against the notice. Advocate Basheer Khan Wazir appeared on behalf of the petitioner, while the additional attorney general also represented the government.
Omar Ayub’s counsel told the court that the ECP had issued a show-cause notice to his client for allegedly failing to declare his assets, although a response had already been submitted within the stipulated 120 days.
He argued that under the law, the ECP could not issue such a notice after this period had passed. The counsel informed the court that a similar case was already being hearing in Abbottabad.
Additional Attorney General Sanaullah contended that the Abbottabad case was entirely different from the current one. At this, Justice Ejaz Anwar remarked that the case could either be transferred to that court or brought here for simultaneous hearing.
The petitioner’s lawyer stated that the court may decide as it deemed appropriate and requested the court to annul the ECP notice. He added that the details of assets were submitted to the ECP on December 31, last year.
Later, speaking to the media Omar Ayub criticised the government for rising inflation and accused it of hoarding sugar. “Prices of sugar and petrol are increasing daily. The Sharif and Zardari families, who own sugar mills, are reaping billions in profit,” he alleged. “First, five hundred thousand tons of sugar were exported, and now the same amount is being imported again,” he pointed out.
He announced that the PTI would hold a protest on August 5 and that preparations were complete. “Some opposition parties will also join us. The protest strategy will be unveiled in a day or two,” he said.
Omar Ayub condemned the recent firing incident in Tirah valley, calling for an inquiry into who opened fire on unarmed civilians. “We saw similar action at D-Chowk too, and such violence against civilians can have dangerous consequences,” he added.
He reiterated that the all parties conference had opposed military operations in merged districts, stressing that the police should lead any law enforcement action with other security agencies backing them.
Omar Ayub criticised Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, demanding accountability for the alleged import of substandard wheat worth Rs450 billion during the caretaker government. “This is a case for NAB,” he said. “First, Mohsin Naqvi should answer for that before issuing threats.”
Referring to Rana Sanaullah, Omar Ayub said the former interior minister should seek an apology from the then DG of ANF if he was innocent in his narcotics case. “If there is no evidence, then why not demand an apology from the DG?” he asked.
He alleged that petrol worth Rs450 billion was being smuggled from Iran into Balochistan, causing massive losses to the national exchequer. “This fuel comes in large vehicles, yet no one seems to notice. Why is the FBR silent? Who is involved in this smuggling, and why is there no action against them?” he questioned.
Meanwhile, reacting to the statement of PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan against the disqualification of the party legislators, a spokesperson of the Election Commission said, “the Commission strongly denies the statement of Barrister Gohar. Senator Ijaz Chaudhry, MNA Muhammad Ahmed Chattha, and MPA Ahmed Khan were convicted by the Anti-Terrorism Court which is still valid. This decision was not set aside”.
“Whereas the case of Abdul Latif Chitrali is different. Although Chitrali himself did not go to the Islamabad High Court, his co-accused went to the Islamabad High Court and the decision of the Anti-Terrorism Court was set aside and Chitrali’s co-accused was ordered to be released. However, Chitrali did not join this appeal,” it was clarified.
Therefore, the spokesperson said a notice was issued to him to come and assist the Commission as to whether the decision of the Islamabad High Court regarding the co-accused will also apply to him or not.
