Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan has rendered several former members of the National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies from Sindh and Balochistan ineligible to contest in any forthcoming general, by-elections, or Senate elections. This decision comes after the individuals failed to submit their annual statements of assets and liabilities for the financial year 2022-23, as mandated under section 137 of the Elections Act, 2017.
According to Election Commission of Pakistan, the directive issued on August 13, 2024, targets ex-members who have not complied with the legal requirements to disclose their financial statements. Among those affected are notable figures from the dissolved National Assembly including Mr. Khurram Dastagir Khan, Mr. Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha, and Mr. Muhammad Ali, along with others such as Rana Muhammad Ishaq Khan and Mr. Kamal Uddin.
The Provincial Assembly of Sindh has also seen its share of members declared ineligible, including Mr. Adeel Ahmed, Mr. Hizbullah Bughio, and Mr. Arslan Taj Hussain. These sanctions highlight ongoing efforts by the Election Commission to enforce transparency and accountability among public officials.
The Election Commission’s strict enforcement of asset declaration aims to ensure that elected officials adhere to standards of integrity and public trust. The affected individuals will remain ineligible to participate in any electoral process until they fulfill their obligations by submitting the required Form-B for the designated financial year.