The Election Commission of Pakistan has suspended the memberships of 159 lawmakers for failing to submit mandatory financial statements. The decision followed the lawmakers’ failure to meet the January 15 deadline set by the commission.
The suspension affects members from the National Assembly, Senate, and all four provincial assemblies. As a result, the lawmakers are barred from participating in legislative activities until compliance.
Breakdown of Suspended Lawmakers
According to the Election Commission notification, Punjab Assembly members top the list with 50 suspensions. The commission also suspended 32 MNAs, 33 Sindh Assembly members, 28 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lawmakers, seven Balochistan Assembly members, and nine senators.
This wide-reaching action highlights the scale of non-compliance across legislatures. Moreover, it reflects the commission’s stricter enforcement approach this year.
Prominent Political Figures Affected
Several high-profile political figures are among those suspended. These include Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah and MQM-P Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.
The list also includes PPP leaders Syed Ali Musa Gilani and Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani, along with PML-N MNA Saira Tarar. Their suspension has drawn attention due to their senior political standing.
Similarly, the Election Commission suspended nine senators, including Climate Change Minister Dr Musadik Malik, PML-N leader Abid Sher Ali, and PTI Senator Murad Saeed.
Provincial Assemblies Also Impacted
In Punjab, suspended lawmakers include Rana Sikandar Hayat, Adnan Dogar, and Aamir Hayat Hiraj. Meanwhile, Sindh’s suspended members include former chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and provincial minister Saeed Ghani.
Additionally, 28 members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and seven Balochistan Assembly lawmakers were also suspended. This shows the issue extends beyond one province.
Legal Requirements and Consequences
Under election laws, lawmakers must submit annual asset and liability details by December 31. They must also file financial statements of spouses and dependent children by June 30 each year.
Failure to comply leads to immediate suspension until documents are submitted. During suspension, members cannot attend sessions or vote on legislation. They are also barred from confidence motions.
What Comes Next
The Election Commission clarified that membership will be restored once the required statements are submitted. However, until compliance, the suspensions remain in effect.
Political observers say the move could pressure lawmakers to improve transparency. At the same time, it reinforces the commission’s authority ahead of future electoral processes.
