23 lawmakers remain suspended for failure to submit asset details.

As many as 23 lawmakers are still suspended for their failure to submit to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) statements of their assets and liabilities even after the expiry of five months following the deadline specified by the law.

Members from the Punjab Assembly top the list of lawmakers failing to meet the legal requirement, with their number standing at 12 - more than 50 per cent of such lawmakers. Out of the total 371 members of the Punjab Assembly, 359 have submitted their statements of assets.

Likewise, six members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly have not yet filed their statements of assets and liabilities with the ECP. The total strength of the KP Assembly is 124, out of which one seat is vacant at present. Out of the 123 sitting members, so far 117 have filed their statements of assets and liabilities.

Two members each from the Sindh and Balochistan assemblies and one member of the Senate have not yet submitted their statements of assets. All the 342 members of the National Assembly have submitted their statements of assets.

Members of Punjab Assembly top the list

The amended law requires the members of parliament and provincial assemblies to submit to the ECP the statements of assets and liabilities of their own, spouses and children by Dec 31 every year.

The Section 137 (1) of the Elections Act, 2017, reads: '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.'

The law also provides for what can be called a grace period of 15 days. The Section 137 (3) of the Elections Act reads: '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...