PTI expels five MNAs for backing 26th amendment, seeks disqualification
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday formally expelled five of its National Assembly members for defying party directions and voting in favour of the 26th Constitutional Amendment — a move the party termed a 'flagrant breach of oath, loyalty, and parliamentary discipline.'
The expulsions were confirmed through formal notifications issued by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan. The lawmakers — Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, Zahoor Elahi, Usman Ali, Mubarak Zeb, and Muhammad Ilyas Chaudhry — were elected on PTI tickets and, according to the party, had pledged to uphold its parliamentary stance.
An official PTI statement said the party's parliamentary meeting on September 2, 2024, had unanimously decided to oppose the 26th Amendment at all stages. These instructions were submitted to the Speaker of the National Assembly on September 5 for record. However, on October 21, the five lawmakers voted in favour of the bill, enabling the government to pass it with 225 votes — just one above the required 224.
Following the vote, PTI issued show-cause notices to the MNAs on November 5, asking why they should not be disqualified for defection and breach of party discipline under Articles 62 and 63. A hearing committee was formed but none of the lawmakers responded or appeared.
The party further alleged that the MNAs had joined another parliamentary party by taking seats on the treasury benches and attending its meetings, which it says constitutes formal defection under constitutional provisions.
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'You are hereby declared to have violated your commitment, oath, and loyalty to the party,' the notification read. 'You voted in favour of the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2024, and by conduct have joined another parliamentary party. You are therefore expelled from the party forthwith.'
The PTI leadership has also requested the Election Commission of Pakistan to initiate proceedings for the disqualification of the five MNAs under Article 63A of the Constitution.
The five MNAs had voted in favour of the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which enabled the government to secure 225 votes — one above the 224 required for passage.
The 26th Amendment introduced significant changes to Pakistan's judicial structure, including revisions to the process of judicial appointments, the tenure of the Chief Justice, and the composition of the Judicial Commission.
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