Lahore, September 13, 2024 – Prominent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member, Umar Ayub Khan has yet again extended absolute allegiance to party head Imran Khan, stating all allegations leveled against him as baseless and false and nothing else. This occurred after Ayub addressed the media outside of an Anti-Terrorism Court, where he condemned the current legal troubles facing Khan and the fear he has for the latter while he is behind bars. “He has been in custody for much too long than expected.
Umar Ayub, when he was addressing the media said that Imran Khan has been the subject of wrongful incarceration and it is illegal and cruel to hold him for any further time. “All cases initiated against Imran Khan are nothing but theatrics,” Ayub articulated.
“It would be two or three days that he ought to have been freed. The longer these people take him to remain in captivity, the circle of his indexes looms closer.” People inappropriately detained within the PTI were primarily detained publicly, in the center – Ayub emphasized, despite members of parliament being arrested even inside the Parliament House. For him, this denotes an increasing apprehension and fear that members of the opposition now have amid the current round of politics.
Parliament Incident: Calls for a Review Umar Ayub
Umar Ayub spoke emotionally during the occasion, especially when he mentioned, “I studied in this city, and on February 8, people closed the books of our opponents.” He referred to the earlier events of the year when the public gave PTI the mandate.
Ayub called for a Commission to address the issues faced by members in the house, especially after the May 9th protests, when authorities arrested a majority of PTI members.
Imran Khan’s Involvement in Cases Umar Ayub
In his latest comments, Umar Ayub stated that authorities had not implicated Imran Khan in any of the cases. He pointed out that the PML-N and PPP signed the power purchase agreements while they were in government.
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As far as his positioning as the federal minister for energy is concerned, Ayub says, ‘We managed to drop the rates to 2.5 cents. When I was the minister for energy.’ He was critical of the previous governments for entering such agreements which were not favorable and maintained that PTI had gone out of its way to correct the situation.
Extension in Interim Bail in Askari Tower Arson Case for PTI Leaders
Hearing on May 9th Incidents Umar Ayub
Earlier in the day, a hearing was held at Anti Terrorism Court in Lahore relating to the May 9th Askari Tower arson case. The case is regarding the violence and rampant arson that ensued across the country following Imran Khan’s arrest in May, which led to a state of chaos in most parts of the nation.
Court Proceedings Umar Ayub
Duty Judge Arshad Javed and several PTI leaders of the party including Umar Ayub, Azam Swati, and Musarrat Jamshed Cheema attended the Court to answer the case. Former Federal Minister Asad Umar, however, did not attend the court due to sickness.
Extension of Interim Bail Umar Ayub
The court decided to extend the interim bail of all the accused in the case including Umar Ayub to October 8, 2024. Thus the PTI leaders especially Umar Ayub shall continue to enjoy freedom on bail pending the determination of the matters in court. A police complaint was filed against the accused at Gulberg police station for being involved in the violence at Askari tower on May 9th.
Conclusion: Growing Concerns Over Political Persecution
Umar Ayub and others’ remarks highlight that not only the leadership of PTI but also ordinary activists are facing severe political persecution and fear. Despite Imran Khan’s imprisonment, the party continues to accuse the government of persecution, ironically using the very cases that made him the most wanted man in the opposition.Sustained political strife, accentuated by events such as the case of arson at Askari Tower, has not helped bridge the gulf between PTI and the present government.
