ISLAMABAD – The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) took a major step toward political transparency on Friday. The commission suspended the memberships of 159 lawmakers from various legislative houses. These members failed to submit their mandatory annual financial statements.
The suspension follows the expiration of the final deadline on January 15. Under Section 137 of the Elections Act, 2017, all parliamentarians must declare their assets and liabilities annually.
The law also requires details regarding their spouses and dependent children.
Breakdown of the Suspensions
The ECP Lawmakers Suspension impacts every level of the country’s legislative structure. According to the official notification, the list includes:
- 32 Members of the National Assembly (MNAs)
- 50 Members of the Punjab Assembly
- 33 Members of the Sindh Assembly
- 28 Members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly
- 7 Members of the Balochistan Assembly
- 9 members of the Senate
High-Profile Names Affected
Several prominent political figures are among those suspended. The list includes Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Malik and MQM-P Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.
Other notable names are Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah and PML-N’s Saira Tarar.
From the provincial assemblies, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat and former Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah also face suspension.
The action ensures that even senior leaders are held accountable for legal compliance.
Consequences of the Ruling
This ECP Lawmakers Suspension carries immediate legal weight. The affected members are now barred from participating in any legislative business. They cannot attend assembly sessions, join committee meetings, or vote on any motions. This includes high-stakes votes like motions of confidence.
The suspension remains in effect until the individuals file their documents with the commission. Once the ECP verifies the financial statements, it will issue a notification to restore their memberships. The commission had previously warned that no further extensions would be granted beyond the mid-January cutoff.
This annual exercise serves as a critical check on the financial transparency of Pakistan’s elected representatives.
Despite these domestic administrative hurdles, Pakistan continues to lead on international platforms, as seen when Pakistan Urges Inclusive Dialogue at UNSC to End Yemen Conflict during the latest security session.
