The PHC (Peshawar High Court) has issued a stay order preventing the National Assembly and Senate from appointing new opposition leaders. This comes after the disqualification of PTI’s Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz.
A two-member bench of the PHC, headed by Justice Arshad Ali, heard a petition challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision made on August 5. The ECP had de-notified nine lawmakers, including opposition leaders from both houses of Parliament.
Barrister Gohar, representing the petitioners, argued that the ECP acted without proper legal procedure. He said the Commission could not apply Article 63(1)(h) on its own, as it requires due process. He also feared that the leadership of the opposition could be handed over to another party before the legal case is completed.
The disqualified members include Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, and seven others. Their disqualification followed a conviction by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Faisalabad related to the May 9 violence. Each received a prison sentence of over two years, triggering constitutional rules for disqualification.
Other lawmakers affected include Rai Haider Ali Khan, Zartaj Gul, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Rai Hassan Nawaz. MPAs Muhammad Ansar Iqbal, Junaid Afzal Sahi, and Rai Murtaza Iqbal were also removed.
Justice Arshad Ali noted that the PHC had already issued a stay order in the matter. He questioned the urgency of appointing new opposition leaders while legal proceedings are still ongoing.
The court has issued notices to the ECP and other relevant parties. The next hearing is scheduled for August 15.
The PHC decision aims to maintain political stability until a final verdict is reached.
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