parliamentarians from PTI challenge High Court decision on disqualification cases from May 9
In a significant turn of events, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) has temporarily suspended the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)'s disqualification order against PTI leaders Shibli Faraz and Omar Ayub Khan. The decision comes after the two leaders filed petitions challenging their disqualification, which was issued by the ECP on August 5, 2025.
The ECP disqualified the PTI leaders based on their convictions by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Faisalabad, related to the May 9, 2023, riots. The convictions led to prison sentences and disqualification under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution. However, Shibli Faraz and Omar Ayub contend that the ECP decision is illegal, unconstitutional, and issued without providing them a hearing—a violation of due process.
Following their petitions, the PHC on August 6, 2025, issued an order suspending the ECP’s actions against them. The court noted that they have surrendered to the court and obtained protective bail while preparing to appeal their convictions in the Lahore High Court.
The PHC has directed the ECP to stop further disqualification proceedings and has issued notices to all parties involved, scheduling the next hearing for August 20, 2025.
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has spoken out against the ECP's decision, claiming that it is unlawful and that the ECP does not have the legal authority to issue direct disqualification notifications. Gohar also defended recent countrywide protests and announced that PTI would challenge the ECP ruling at all legal forums.
The ECP's disqualification led to the de-notification of nine PTI lawmakers, including Muhammad Ansar Iqbal, Junaid Afzal, and Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal from the Punjab Assembly, as well as five members of the National Assembly and one senator. However, the current status is that the PHC has halted any further action against Shibli Faraz and Omar Ayub Khan, pending a legal review.
In a separate development, the special ATC in Faisalabad acquitted 77 individuals, including former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry, Zain Qureshi, and Khayal Kastro, in connection with cases registered in the aftermath of the May 9, 2023, violence.
Gohar strongly criticized the ECP and claimed that public support remains firmly behind PTI's founding leader Imran Khan. He mentioned that PTI's August 5 protest was held in 170 districts, tehsils, and union councils across the country.
The ongoing challenge in the Peshawar High Court has allowed the leaders time to file appeals against their convictions and contest the ECP decision, providing a reprieve for the disqualified PTI leaders.
Politics and policy-and-legislation are at the forefront as the Peshawar High Court (PHC) temporarily suspended the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) disqualification order against PTI leaders Shibli Faraz and Omar Ayub Khan, following their petitions challenging the decision. Meanwhile, war-and-conflicts and general-news continue to unfold as the ECP's decision faces legal challenges, with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan claiming it is unlawful and asserting that the party will challenge it at all legal forums.
