ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken strict action against members of the national and provincial assemblies as well as senators who failed to submit their annual financial statements for 2023-24.
As per the details, the ECP has suspended the membership of 156 public representatives, and they cannot participate in the proceedings of the House until they fulfill the legal requirements.
The suspended lawmakers include 16 members of the National Assembly, including Akhtar Mengal and Qasim Gilani. The membership of Tariq Bashir Cheema and two senators Muhammad Qasim and Abdul Quddus has also been cancelled.
In the provincial assemblies, the ECP has suspended 68 members from Punjab, 15 from Sindh and 33 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Those suspended include MPA and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman.
The ECP clarified that the suspended members have been barred from attending legislative sessions or participating in any official proceedings until they submit their returns. It further warned that any member found to have provided false or incomplete information in their financial statements would face legal action.
The ECP has formally informed the Chairman Senate and the Speakers of the National and Provincial Assemblies about the suspension of membership.
Filing of financial statements is a mandatory requirement under the law, which aims to maintain transparency in the financial affairs of legislators. Suspended members are expected to file their returns immediately to restore their membership and resume their legislative duties.