PTI Leaders Protested Against the Conviction and Disqualification by the ECP

ISLAMABAD- On Wednesday, the PTI leaders approached the National Assembly to raise their voice over the unfair disqualification of their lawmakers by the court and the ECP. However, the government stated no involvement in the judicial proceedings.

NA denied PTI permission:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf leaders were unhappy with the convictions imposed on them. They approached the National Assembly to speak over the matter, carrying portraits of the disqualified lawmakers by the ECP. The NA speaker, Ayaz Sadiq, denied the permission during Question Hour. PTI leaders are alleged by many anti-terrorist courts in Punjab. Their cases mostly revolve around the May 9 riot. In the light of these convictions, many national and provincial PTI leaders were de-seated by the court.

The Government disowns any involvement in the matter:

Law Minister, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, said that it is the whole court’s decision to disqualify PTI lawmakers. He said the government did not play any part in making such a decision. Though the decision is made after judicial proceedings.

The National Assembly session stopped for a while due to a quorum but resumed. After a pause, PTI interim Chairman, Gauhar Ali Khan, started the proceedings and condemned the treatment done to the PTI leaders before and after the 2024 polls. He said that the court snatching the PTI leader’s seats is a question and a threat to the democratic proceedings.

He also added that ECP has misused its authority in disqualifying PTI leaders. It is the first time in history that key opposition leaders have been disqualified without any finalization of the conviction. 

Gauhar Ali Khan also said that PTI leaders feel sad over the May 9 incident. They have deep condolences for the damage, but how long will the incident be dragged and linked with the other PTI lawmakers’ cases?

Azam Nazeer Tarar said, “This is a lawful process. Objections can be raised, but the forum to do so is also the court.” He clearly stated that parliament has no role in objecting to the court’s cases. We should respect the judicial inquiries. He had also given the example of Jamshed Dasti, to whom the LHC gave relaxation after the ECP disqualified him. After the proceedings, the opposition leaders exited the Parliament House and staged a protest against the disqualification of the PTI lawmakers.