Islamabad( The COW News Digital)In a major political development, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has officially disqualified Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Ahmad Khan Bachar, and National Assembly member Ahmad Chattha following convictions by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC).
According to a notification issued by the ECP, all three have been declared ineligible to hold public office and their respective legislative seats have been declared vacant. The disqualification follows court rulings that found them guilty under various charges linked to terrorism-related offenses.
The most prominent among them, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the ATC, prompting the Election Commission to revoke his Senate membership. His disqualification has sent shockwaves across political circles, particularly within the opposition.
Similarly, Ahmad Chattha, Member of the National Assembly from NA-66 Wazirabad, and Ahmad Khan Bachar, Punjab Assembly member from PP-87 Mianwali, were also declared ineligible based on final judgments issued by the Anti-Terrorism Court.
The Election Commission stated that the ATC’s rulings rendered all three politicians ineligible under the law, and thus, their legislative seats stand vacated.
“Following the ATC verdicts, these individuals can no longer serve in public office,” the ECP clarified in its announcement.
The by-elections to fill these three key positions will be held soon, as per the electoral laws. Political analysts believe the disqualifications could significantly impact the opposition’s strength, particularly in Punjab, where Ahmad Khan Bachar was serving as the Opposition Leader in the Provincial Assembly.
Legal experts note that the ECP’s swift response reflects the growing influence of judicial verdicts on Pakistan’s political landscape, particularly as terrorism-related charges increasingly intersect with political activity.
This case underscores the importance of accountability and legal compliance for public representatives. Critics of the disqualified lawmakers argue that the rulings reinforce the idea that no one is above the law.
As Pakistan prepares for by-elections, the spotlight remains firmly on how political parties will respond to this shake-up—and whether this marks the beginning of broader legal scrutiny into past political violence.
