Disqualification over alleged constitutional violation: ECP rejects PTI-linked lawmaker’s plea against maintainability of reference

ISLAMABAD: The electoral body has rejected the petition of a lawmaker linked to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against the maintainability of a reference seeking his disqualification over an alleged constitutional violation, and has fixed the matter for hearing today (Friday).

“It is decided that the subject reference is maintainable and proceed-able, therefore, the objection regarding non-maintainability is rejected and case is fixed for 23-01-2026 at 10:00 am for arguments on the merits of the case,” read the written order issued by a three-member bench of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday.

Headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, the bench comprises Nisar Ahmed Durrani and Shah Muhammad Jatoi.

The bench is hearing the reference, moved by one Nasrullah Khan, seeking disqualification of PTI-linked Member National Assembly (MNA) Sohail Sultan.

Sultan is accused of violating Article 63(1)(K) of the Constitution that bars public office-holders from being elected or chosen to the Parliament for two years after their retirement or resignation from the service.

Sultan was elected to NA-4 Swat in the 2024 general election, in alleged violation of the aforesaid article, when he was reportedly the advocate general of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The reference against him is sent to the ECP by Speaker NA Ayaz Sadiq under the relevant law.

In recent months, 16 PTI-linked lawmakers have been de-seated by the ECP following their convictions by the courts.

These lawmakers comprise eight NA members, six Punjab Assembly members, and two senators.

Abdul Latif (NA-1 Chitral), Omar Ayub Khan (NA-18 Haripur), Ahmed Chattha (NA-66 Wazirabad), Rai Haider Ali (NA-96 Faisalabad), Sahibzada Hamid Raza (NA-104 Faisalabad), Rai Hassan Nawaz (NA-143 Sahiwal), Jamshaid Dasti (NA-175 Muzaffargarh), Zartaj Gul (NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan), Ansar Iqbal (PP-73 Sargodha), Ahmad Khan (PP-87 Mianwali), Junaid Afzal Sahi (PP-98 Faisalabad), Shahid Javed (PP-115 Faisalabad), Muhammad Ismael (PP-116 Faisalabad), Rai Murtaza Iqbal (PP-203 Sahiwal), Shibli Faraz (Senate) and Ejaz Chaudhary (Senate) are among the disqualified legislators.

Except Dasti, the other 15 lawmakers were de-seated by the ECP keeping in view their convictions by the anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) in the cases related to 9 May riots.

Dasti was disqualified by the electoral body on the charges of having fake educational credentials.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026