The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday disqualified Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Abdul Latif Chitrali after his conviction in a case linked to the May 9 violence.
According to the official notification, Chitrali has been disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution, which bars individuals convicted of certain criminal offenses from holding public office. The ECP also declared his National Assembly seat — NA-1 (Upper and Lower Chitral) — vacant and issued his denotification as an elected representative.
Chitrali was sentenced to 10 years in prison by an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad for his role in the violent protests and attacks on state institutions that occurred on May 9, 2023, following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. The court found him guilty of participating in and inciting acts of terrorism during the unrest.
This marks another blow to PTI, which has seen a growing number of its elected members disqualified or face legal action over the May 9 incidents — a turning point that significantly altered the party’s political standing.
The ECP’s decision is expected to trigger a by-election in NA-1, further impacting PTI’s representation in the National Assembly amid its ongoing legal and political challenges.
