PTI Leaders Omer Ayub and Shibli Faraz Challenge ECP’s Decision to De-Notify Their Membership in Peshawar High Court

Peshawar: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leaders Omer Ayub and Senator Shibli Faraz have challenged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)’s decision to de-notify them in the Peshawar High Court.
In their petition, the two leaders argued that the ECP’s decision was unlawful, unconstitutional, and based on malice. They requested the court to declare the ECP’s ruling null and void.
The petitioners contended that the ECP had issued its decision to de-notify them without hearing their stance, which they claimed violated the fundamental principles of justice. They argued that they were not given an opportunity to defend themselves before the decision was made, making the ruling illegal.
It is important to note that the ECP had, on the previous day, declared several prominent PTI leaders and nine parliamentarians ineligible. This included Senator Shibli Faraz, National Assembly member Omer Ayub, and others, following their conviction in relation to the May 9 incidents.
According to the ECP’s statement, those disqualified included five members of the National Assembly, three members of the Punjab Assembly, and one senator. Among the disqualified members were Raye Haider Ali, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Raye Hassan Nawaz, and Zartaj Gul. From the Punjab Assembly, Ansar Iqbal, Junaid Afzal Sahi, and Raye Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal also faced disqualification.
The decision came after the Anti-Terrorism Court of Faisalabad sentenced several individuals, including Omer Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Zartaj Gul, and Sahibzada Hamid Raza, to 10 years in prison for their involvement in the May 9 incidents. Junaid Afzal Sahi was sentenced to three years in prison.
The ECP then declared the seats of these members vacant and began implementing the next steps in the process.