ECP Disqualifies Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub, and 7 Other Lawmakers Over May 9 Convictions

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has disqualified nine members of parliament, including senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Senator Shibli Faraz and MNA Omar Ayub, following their convictions in cases related to the May 9 incidents.
According to the ECP, the lawmakers were disqualified after being sentenced in terrorism-related cases. The disqualified individuals include five members of the National Assembly, one senator, and three members of the Punjab Assembly.
Those disqualified include prominent figures such as Rai Haider Ali, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Rai Hassan Nawaz, and Zartaj Gul. Punjab Assembly members Ansar Iqbal, Junaid Afzal, and Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal have also been unseated.
The ECP has officially de-notified the seats of all disqualified members, declaring their parliamentary positions vacant.
On July 31, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Faisalabad delivered verdicts in three different May 9-related cases, sentencing a total of 196 individuals, including Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz.
In two of the cases, 168 individuals received 10-year prison terms. Notably, Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Zartaj Gul, and Sahibzada Hamid Raza were all handed 10-year sentences, while Junaid Afzal Sahi was sentenced to 3 years in prison.
The verdicts are part of the state’s broader crackdown on those involved in the May 9 unrest following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan.