ECP disqualifies PTI's Abdul Latif Chitrali after ATC conviction
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has disqualified another Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) legislator, Abdul Latif Chitrali, and declared his National Assembly seat (NA-1, Upper and Lower Chitral) vacant, following the denotification of his electoral victory.
This decision comes after Chitrali was sentenced to 10 years in prison by an Anti-Terrorism Court for his involvement in the violent events of May 9.
The official notification issued by the ECP stated, 'As a result, Abdul Latif Chitrali stands disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.'
Also Read: Shah Mahmood Qureshi acquitted, Yasmin Rashid sentenced to 10 years
The court's ruling and the subsequent ECP action have led to the vacancy of Chitrali's seat in the National Assembly, marking a significant development in the aftermath of the May 9 events.
A day earlier, ECP issued disqualification notifications for three PTI lawmakers, including Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, following their convictions by an anti-terrorism court.
In a notification 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 10-year prison sentences under anti-terrorism charges.
Read More: Imran involved in May 9 conspiracy, rules LHC
Senator Chaudhry was found guilty by an anti-terrorism court and is no longer eligible to remain a member of the Senate under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution, the ECP said. 'The anti-terrorism court has declared Ejaz Chaudhry guilty and sentenced him to ten years,' the notification stated.
Meanwhile, ATC Lahore acquitted six PTI leaders, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Hamza Azeem, in connection with the May 9 riots, while sentencing 10 others, including Dr Yasmin Rashid, to 10 years in prison.
May 9 Riots
The May 9 riots erupted nationwide following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, after which PTI leaders and workers staged protests targeting both civil and military installations, including Jinnah House and the 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 unrest, many PTI members were arrested and tried in military courts. In December, a military court convicted 25 individuals, including Imran Khan's nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi, and later sentenced 60 more.
In January, 19 convicts had their sentences pardoned following successful mercy appeals, although PTI expressed dissatisfaction over the limited number of pardons. The military trials had initially been halted following a Supreme Court ruling but were resumed following the court's instructions to finalise pending cases and announce judgments for those involved in the violent incidents.
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