Election Commission restores Murad Saeed’s Senate membership, suspends disqualification notification

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday restored the Senate membership of Murad Saeed, suspending its earlier notification regarding his disqualification and subsequent de-notification from the upper house.

The development came during a hearing on a petition filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Member of the Provincial Assembly, Jalal Khan, concerning the general Senate seat from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

During the proceedings, the petitioner argued that a lawmaker who has not taken the oath of office cannot be disqualified under the Constitution or relevant legal provisions. He maintained that the earlier decision to disqualify Murad Saeed was legally flawed and requested the commission to intervene.

Accepting the initial arguments, the ECP suspended its previous orders related to Murad Saeed’s disqualification, effectively restoring his Senate membership until a final decision is reached.

The petitioner also urged the commission to suspend the by-election schedule issued for the vacant Senate seat from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which had fallen vacant following Murad Saeed’s earlier disqualification.