ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has disqualified Abdul Latif Chitrali, MNA from NA-1 Chitral, and declared his seat vacant following his conviction in May 9 related cases.
According to ECP sources, the disqualification was announced after the commission issued its reserved verdict on Tuesday. The decision cited Chitrali’s 10-year sentence handed down by an anti-terrorism court, disqualifying him under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution.
Earlier, a five-member ECP bench led by the Chief Election Commissioner had heard the case before reserving the ruling. Under constitutional provisions, any lawmaker sentenced to more than two years becomes ineligible to hold public office.
This ruling follows the disqualification of three other lawmakers a day earlier — Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, Ahmed Khan Bhachar, and Ahmed Chattha — all convicted in similar cases.
As per official notifications, Ejaz Chaudhry’s disqualification followed a 10-year sentence. Ahmed Chattha, elected from NA-66 Wazirabad, and Ahmed Khan Bhachar, elected from PP-87 Mianwali, were also declared ineligible by the ECP in light of their respective court convictions.
