ECP bars three ex-MNAs from contesting elections

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday again declared three former lawmakers — Zartaj Gul, Sahibzada Hamid Raza and Abdul Latif — ineligible to contest any election for failing to submit their statements of assets and liabilities for the financial year 2024-25.

The commission said the three ex-members of the National Asse­mbly would remain disqualified “till submission of the requisite Statement of Assets & Liabilities (Form-B) for financial year 2024-25” in compliance with Section 137 of the Elections Act, 2017”.

“The commission vide Order dated 07.08.2026 has declared the delinquent ex-members of the National Assembly ineligible to contest any general election, by-election, Senate election and local government election,” it said.

Zartaj Gul, Sahibzada Hamid Raza and Abdul Latif ineligible over failure to submit asset details

The ECP had first disqualified Ms Gul and Mr Raza in the first week of August 2025. Mr Latif was disqualified on July 29, 2025, from NA-1, Upper and Lower Chitral.

In July 2025, an antiterrorism court in Faisalabad sentenced more than 100 PTI leaders and workers, including key opposition figures, to up to 10 years in prison.

Among those sentenced to the 10-year rigorous imprisonment were former opposition leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, opposition leader in the Senate Shibli Faraz, Zartaj Gul, Hamid Raza, Sheikh Rashid Shafique, Kanwal Shauzab, Farah Agha, Rai Haider Kharal and Muhammad Ahmad Chattha.

Under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution, a person convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude and sentenced to imprisonment of not less than two years stands disqualified from being a member of parliament for five years from the date of release. The ECP had subsequently notified the disqualification of the lawmakers convicted in the case.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2026