ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has expelled five Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) for violating party discipline by supporting the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill. The party has also formally requested the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to initiate disqualification proceedings against them under Article 63-A of the Constitution.
The expelled lawmakers include Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, Zahoor Elahi Qureshi, Chaudhry Usman Ali, Mubarak Zeb, and Muhammad Ilyas Chaudhry. All five had won their seats as PTI-backed candidates in the February 2024 general elections.
According to PTI, the decision was made following the MNAs’ vote in favor of the amendment on October 21, 2024, despite clear party instructions to oppose the bill. A parliamentary meeting held on September 2 had unanimously decided to reject the amendment at every stage. This decision was officially conveyed to the National Assembly speaker on September 5.
PTI issued show-cause notices to the lawmakers on November 5, accusing them of defection and disloyalty. The party stated that none of the five responded to the notices or appeared before the disciplinary committee. Their continued alignment with treasury benches and participation in meetings with the ruling coalition further confirmed their defection, according to PTI leadership.
The 26th Amendment, which required a two-thirds majority to pass, was approved by a narrow margin of 225 votes — just one above the constitutional threshold of 224 votes. PTI claims that the support of the expelled MNAs played a decisive role in the passage of the bill.
PTI has submitted formal references to the National Assembly speaker and the Election Commission, requesting the disqualification of the five lawmakers for violating party directives and constitutional provisions.
Party leaders have condemned the defection as a betrayal of public trust, stating that strict action is necessary to uphold party discipline and constitutional integrity.
