The Election Commission for Pakistan (ECP) has disqualified another Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) legislature, Abdul Latif Chitrali, and declared his National Assembly Seat (NA-1, Upper and Lower Chitral) available after the articles of association of his election victory.
This decision comes after Chitrali was sentenced to 10 years in prison by an anti-terrorism court for his commitment to the violent events on May 9.
The official notification issued by the ECP stated: “As a result, Abdul Latif Chitrali disqualified in accordance with Article 63 (2).
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The court’s decision and the subsequent ECP action have led to the unemployment of Chitrali’s seat in the National Assembly, which marks a significant development in the wake of the May 9 events.
A day earlier, ECP issued disqualification messages for three PTI legislators, including Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, in their conviction of an anti-terrorism court.
In a review issued Monday, the ECP confirmed the disqualification of Chaudhry, Mna Muhammad Ahmad Chattha and Punjab Assembly opposition leader Ahmad Khan Bhachar. All three were handed down 10-year prison sentences during anti-terrorism.
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Senator Chaudhry was found guilty of an anti-terrorism court and is no longer entitled to remain a member of the Senate in accordance with Article 63 (2) of the Constitution. 1 (h), says ECP. “The Anti-Terrorism Court has declared Ejaz Chaudhry guilty and sentenced him to ten years,” the review states.
Meanwhile, ATC Lahore acquitted six PTI leaders, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Hamza Azeem, in connection with the riots on May 9, while they convicted 10 others, including Dr. Yasmin Rashid, for 10 years in prison.
May 9th riots
The May 9 riots broke out nationwide following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, after which PTI leaders and workers staged protests aimed at both civilian and military installations, including Jinnah House and GHQ in Rawalpindi. The military condemned the events as a “black day” and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act.
As a result of the turmoil, many PTI members were arrested and tried in military courts. In December, a military court sentenced 25 individuals, including Imran Khan’s nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi, and later sentenced 60.
In January, 19 had their sentences pardoned after successful mercy appeals, although PTI expressed dissatisfaction with the limited number of pardens. The military lawsuits had originally been stopped after a Supreme Court Recovery, but were resumed following the court’s instructions to end pending cases and advertise judgments for those involved in the violent incidents.
