ECP suspends 159 lawmakers for failing to file asset declarations

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday suspended the memberships of 159 lawmakers, including federal and provincial ministers, for failing to submit annual statements of assets and liabilities within the prescribed deadline.

In a statement, the ECP said those suspended include 32 members of the National Assembly, 50 from the Punjab Assembly, 33 from the Sindh Assembly, 28 from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and seven from the Balochistan Assembly.

The memberships of nine senators were also suspended.

Under the Election Act, members of parliament and provincial assemblies are required to submit their financial statements by January 15 each year.

The ECP said the action was taken after the lawmakers failed to comply with the requirement.

Among those affected are Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat and senior Sindh Assembly members Saeed Ghani, Hafiz Naeem and Qaim Ali Shah, according to the list issued by the commission.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the suspensions include opposition leader Ibadullah and Zra Alam, while in the Senate, those suspended include Federal Minister Musadik Malik, Fawzia Arshad, Noorul Haq Qadri and Senator Ahmed Khan.

Federal Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Pashtun National Party chief Akhtar Mengal, Ali Musa Gilani and Abdul Qadir Gilani are also among those whose memberships have been suspended.

The election body said the suspended lawmakers could have their memberships restored after submitting the required asset declarations.