Omar Ayub says cases against PTI leaders ‘politically motivated’

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday extended the transit bail of the opposition leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan until February 25.

A single bench of PHC Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim heard his petition. Alam Khan Advocate, representing Omar Ayub, informed the court that his client was facing several cases registered in various police stations across Punjab and Islamabad following a protest on November 24.

He added that though Omar Ayub had secured bail in some cases, additional cases had been registered against him. The counsel further argued that Omar Ayub intended to appear before the relevant courts to seek legal relief but required transit bail to do so.

In another hearing, Justice Shakeel Ahmad heard a separate petition filed by Omar Ayub. His lawyer informed the court that cases had been registered against his client in Faisalabad and Islamabad, including three cases in Faisalabad and one in Rawalpindi. Fearing arrest, Omar Ayub sought transit bail to approach the concerned courts. The court accepted the request and granted him transit bail until February 26.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters on court premises, Omar Ayub said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had suspended negotiations with the government. Criticising the government, he alleged that the country was under a “virtual martial law” with no implementation of the Constitution.

Omar Ayub said that Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja’s term and two other members had ended. “If they have any sense of honour, they should resign,” he said, adding that PTI would submit names for the new Chief Election Commissioner within a day or two.

He accused the government of delaying the formation of a committee for this purpose, despite letters being sent to the National Assembly speaker and Senate chairman. Omar Ayub accused the government of mismanaging the economy and failing to maintain law and order, particularly in Balochistan, where he condemned the imposition of Section 144 during a public rally and the subsequent arrests of participants.

“The situation at the borders and in Balochistan is deteriorating and the government needs to act responsibly,” he stated. About allegations of a rift in the PTI, Omar Ayub asserted that the party stood united.

He reiterated support for the newly appointed PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar Khan and described him as a longstanding and loyal member of the party. Omar Ayub said the cases against the PTI leaders were politically motivated.