ECP suspends 11 MNAs for not submitting assets details

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has suspended the membership of 11 members of the National Assembly (MNAs) for failing to submit their asset details, ARY News reported.

As per details, the suspended members include Khurram Dastagir, Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha, Ishaq Khan, Muhammad Ali, Kamaluddin, Asmatullah, Syed Mehmood Shah, Samina Matloob, Naseeba, Shamim Ara and Rubina Irfan.

According to the ECP notification, the suspensions will remain in effect until the members submit their asset details.

In addition to the MNAs, 7 members of the Sindh Assembly have also been suspended for the same reason. The suspended members include Adeel Ahmed, Hizbullah, Arlsan Taj, and others.

Earlier, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) asked Members of the Parliament and Provincial Assemblies to submit to the Election Commission by 31st December, 2024, yearly Statements of Assets and Liabilities including their spouse and dependent children as on the preceding thirtieth day of June on Form-B for the financial year 2023-24.

The submission is a mandatory requirement under Section 137 of the Elections Act, 2017, which is reproduced below: -“137. Submission of statement of assets and liabilities.

(1) Every Member of an Assembly and Senate shall submit to the Commission, on or before 31st December each year, a copy of his statement of assets and liabilities including assets and liabilities of his spouse and dependent children as on the preceding thirtieth day of June on Form-B.

(2) The Commission, on the first day of January each year through a press release, shall publish the names of Members who failed to submit the requisite statement of assets and liabilities within the period specified under sub-section (1).

(3) The Commission shall, on the sixteenth day of January, by an order suspend the membership of a Member of an Assembly and Senate who fails to submit the statement of assets and liabilities by the fifteenth day of January and such Member shall cease to function till he files the statement of assets and liabilities.

(4) Where a Member submits the statement of assets and liabilities under this section which is found to be false in material particulars, he may, within one hundred and twenty days from the date submission of the statement, be proceeded against for committing the offence of corrupt practice.”

The prescribed Form-B along with instructions / guidelines prepared in this regard can be obtained free of cost from the Election Commission Secretariat, Islamabad, offices of Provincial Election Commissioners of respective Province, Senate Secretariat, National Assembly Secretariat and Secretariats of concerned Provincial Assemblies.