Awaam Pakistan calls ECP delisting ‘unwarranted’, seeks urgent hearing

Awaam Pakistan, led by former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, is contesting its delisting by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The party labels the ECP's decision, citing alleged failure to hold intra-party elections, as "arbitrary, unwarranted and unprecedented."

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arbitrary, unwarranted and unprecedented

In a letter dated August 12, 2026, Abbasi informed the Chief Election Commissioner that the party was surprised by the ECP's August 7 notification. He asserted that Awaam Pakistan conducted its intra-party elections for both the National General Council and national office-bearers between March 26 and April 2, 2026. These polls, he stated, were held within the extension period granted by the ECP in January 2026, and the results, along with detailed documentation, were submitted on April 6, 2026.

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The results of the intra-party election and detailed documentation were submitted to the ECP on April 6, 2026.

Abbasi further claimed that 12,846 party members participated in the exercise, describing it as "democratic, transparent, and in full compliance with the Elections Act, 2017." He argued that the delisting contradicts the ECP's own records and was enacted "without an opportunity to be heard by the Election Commission." The party has formally requested an urgent hearing to present its case.

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democratic, transparent, and in full compliance with the Elections Act, 2017.

The ECP's delisting means Awaam Pakistan loses its eligibility to contest elections under its name and election symbol. The party, launched by Abbasi in 2024 after leaving PML-N, aims to be a centrist alternative but failed to win any National Assembly seats in the February 8, 2024 general elections. The ECP's order of August 3, 2026, officially delisted the party.

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The action was taken “without an opportunity to be heard by the Election Commission”.