PTI Condemns Disqualifications as Unconstitutional
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has strongly condemned the recent disqualification of nine of its senators and Members of the National Assembly by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), terming the move a blatant violation of constitutional and legal principles. The party has announced plans to challenge the decision in court and has called for a symbolic protest outside the Supreme Court.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, addressing the media after a key meeting of the party’s parliamentary group on Wednesday, said that the disqualification was issued without giving the affected lawmakers an opportunity to be heard. “This is a clear violation of due process and the Constitution,” he said.
According to Barrister Gohar, the ECP’s decision will be contested through legal channels, and PTI will not nominate replacements for the disqualified lawmakers.
ECP Disqualifies Nine PTI Lawmakers Citing May 9 Riots
The Election Commission had earlier de-notified the following PTI members over their alleged involvement in the violent protests that occurred on May 9, 2023:
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Senator Shibli Faraz
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Omar Ayub Khan
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Zartaj Gul
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Sahibzada Hamid Raza
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Junaid Afzal Sahi
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Muhammad Ansar Iqbal
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Rai Hassan Nawaz
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Rai Haider Ali
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Rai Murtaza Iqbal
These individuals were reportedly convicted or faced legal action in connection with the protests, which erupted following the brief arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. The May 9 incidents, which involved attacks on military and state installations, were widely condemned and led to a major crackdown on PTI’s leadership and supporters.
Earlier, Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, had also been disqualified under similar circumstances.
Supreme Court Protest and Nationwide Mobilization Planned
During the parliamentary party meeting, chaired by Barrister Gohar, PTI leaders discussed a multi-pronged response. It was decided that symbolic protests will be held outside the Supreme Court to draw attention to what the party describes as “constitutional violations and politically motivated decisions.”
The party is also weighing the option of broader protests within the National Assembly and across the country on August 14, Pakistan’s Independence Day. According to party sources, there is strong consensus among PTI lawmakers to proceed with peaceful but impactful demonstrations to express public discontent and highlight what they see as judicial and administrative overreach.
PTI Accuses ECP of Bias and Overstepping Authority
This Election Commission is functioning under its own stay orders and has overstepped its constitutional mandate,” he said, adding that recent events — including the ECP’s upcoming meeting following the Supreme Court ruling on reserved seats — further reflect the institution’s entanglement in politically sensitive decisions.
He further claimed that the disqualifications are part of a broader effort to eliminate PTI from the political arena ahead of future electoral contests. The party maintains that such actions undermine democratic norms and violate the fundamental rights of elected representatives and their constituents.
Party Leadership Commits to Legal and Peaceful Resistance
PTI leadership emphasized that any protest action would remain within the bounds of the law. Barrister Gohar noted that recent public demonstrations organized by the party were peaceful and widely supported. “Once again, the people have shown that they continue to stand with PTI’s founding vision,” he added.
The party is now preparing to increase pressure both legally and through public mobilization, aiming to defend constitutional rights and democratic values. Imran Khan has also called for a nationwide movement after Muharram 10, citing harsh jail conditions and solitary confinement. While the final decision regarding the August 14 protests is expected in the coming days, internal sources indicate that the leadership is unified in moving forward with the plan.
Context: May 9 Fallout and Crackdown on PTI
Since the May 9 protests, PTI has faced intense scrutiny and repression, with hundreds of arrests, media blackouts, and legal challenges. The crackdown followed the storming of military buildings and other state institutions — an unprecedented moment in Pakistan’s political history. The government and military establishment labelled the events as a direct assault on the state, while PTI claimed it was being framed and politically targeted.
The disqualifications and subsequent protests are part of an ongoing power struggle between PTI and the ruling coalition, with courts, the ECP, and security agencies playing central roles in shaping the political landscape.
As PTI prepares for another round of public mobilization on Independence Day, the coming weeks may prove critical in determining the party’s future trajectory — both in court and on the streets.
