The National Assembly has removed three senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) figures from prominent parliamentary positions following the disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the May 9 cases.
Omar Ayub has been removed from the post of opposition leader, while the positions of parliamentary leader and deputy parliamentary leader, previously held by Zartaj Gul and Ahmad Chattha, respectively, have also been declared vacant.
In a sweeping leadership shakeup, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was dealt a fresh blow as opposition leaders in both the National Assembly and Senate — Omar Ayub Khan and Shibli Faraz — were de-notified following their disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The dual removals, rooted in convictions tied to the May 9 riots, come as the party’s leadership bench continues to grow thinner and internal recalibrations pick up pace, with senior stalwart Sher Afzal Marwat tipped for a potential return.
The National Assembly Secretariat, in a notification dated August 7, confirmed Ayub’s removal.
“Consequent upon disqualification and de-notification of Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub Khan from being a member of the National Assembly (NA-18 Haripur) under Article 63 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Similarly, the Senate Secretariat issued a parallel notification stating: “Consequent upon disqualification and de-notification of Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Senator Syed Shibli Faraz, from being a member of the Senate under Article 63 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan — the office of the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate has become vacant with effect from 5th August”.
The latest challenge adds to a growing list of setbacks for PTI, which recently saw three major leadership roles vanish in one fell swoop.
In addition to Omar Ayub’s exit, Zartaj Gul was relieved of her duties as parliamentary leader, while Ahmad Chatha lost his position as deputy parliamentary leader. The party has also been denied access to the opposition leader’s chamber.
