The election commission in Pakistan yesterday suspended 26 members Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) legislative assembly, including the chief minister, the speaker and the deputy speaker, for their failure to submit annual statements of their assets and liabilities.
According a notification issued by chief election commissioner secretariat, under Section 42A of the Representatives of People Act, 1976 every member shall submit a statement of assets and liabilities of his own, his spouse and dependents annually to the chief election commissioner by September 13 each year.
“In pursuance of the said section, GB election commission hereby notified the names of GB Legislativge Assembly members, who ceased to function as members with immediate effect. They will remain so till statements are submitted by them,” said the notification.
The suspended members include Chief Minister Hafeezur Rahman, Speaker Fida Mohammad Nashaad, Deputy Speaker Jaffarullah and five ministers including Minister for Food Haji Janbaz Khan, Minister for Works Dr Mohammad Iqbal, Minister for Local Bodies Farman Ali, Minister for Tourism and Youth Affairs Sobia Jabeen Muqadam and Senior Minister Haji Akbar Tabaan.
Shia Ulema Council member retired Captain Mohammad Shafi, Rehana Ibadi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Sikandar Ali and MWM member Kacho Imtiaz are also among 26 lawmakers who failed to fulfil the legal requirement.
Ten lawmakers of the ruling PML-N, were also suspended.