Election Commission of Pakistan Postpones Omar Ayub Disqualification Hearing

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) adjourned the hearing of the disqualification reference against National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan until July 15. This decision came after his lawyer presented a stay order issued by the Peshawar High Court related to the case. A three-member bench of the ECP, led by Member Sindh Nisar Durrani, was convened for the hearing. During the proceedings, Omar Ayub Khan's counsel submitted the stay order. However, Justice (retd) Ikramullah, Member KP, noted that the Peshawar High Court did not specify a new date in the stay order. As a result, the Commission directed its legal team to seek clarification from the Peshawar High Court. It is important to mention that Omar Ayub Khan was not present at the hearing. The bench stressed that the reference sent by the National Assembly Speaker must be resolved within the set time-frame. Furthermore, the opposition leader was directed to provide a response in the assets declaration case, where he faces allegations of inconsistencies in his nomination papers and the information given to the returning officer. The disqualification reference against Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan was forwarded by Speaker of National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, following a petition by PML-N's Babar Nawaz, who was defeated by Ayub in Haripur in the 2024 elections.

According to the source: Associated Press of Pakistan.