ISLAMABAD: Former CEO of Engro Corporation, Asad Umar announced joining Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday.
Umar, recently took early retirement at the age of 50 amid rumours of joining PTI, made the announcement at a press conference with party chief Imran Khan in Islamabad.
He was long rumoured to have harboured political aspirations. In recent months, the blogosphere had been increasingly vocal about Umar’s political leanings, which he had hinted at strongly by participating in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s “Professionals Forum”.
When Umar took over as President and CEO of the company in January 2004, Engro was largely just a fertiliser manufacturer with a small petrochemical subsidiary. Under his leadership, however, the company turned into a diversified industrial conglomerate, with interests ranging from fertilizers, foods, petrochemicals, chemical storage, energy and commodity trading.
Imran Khan on Siachen tragedy
Khan, during the press conference, said that Pakistan and India should both withdraw troops from Siachen and the move should not be “unilateral”.
According to the press release issued by the party, Khan said that Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Chairman Nawaz Sharif has enough resources to visit Gayari, but “our hearts and prayers are with the soldiers and their families” who got buried under an avalanche earlier this month.
“The presence of soldiers in Siachen is not just wasting resources but is also having a negative impact on the environment,” he added.
Khan announced holding a rally in Quetta to “show solidarity with the people”.
“I will address without a bullet-proof dais. No political party leader in Pakistan can do this,” Khan said.
PTI vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Jahangir Tareen, Ahsan Rasheed, Naeemul Haq, Fauzia Qasuri, Ahmad Jawwad, Zahid Kazmi were also present at the press conference.
COMMENTS (77)
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Yessss!!!! IK really made my day.. Asad Umar is one of the best & brilliant mind of Pakistan. Congrats for joining PTI,
Change is INEVITABLE!!!!!
I am amazed to see so many educated people taking Asad Umer as a yard stick that PTI is going in a right track, there are far more educated people in PPP and PML (N) too but that does not make them good. Former PM Shukat Aziz was also from IBA quite educated but than again. Good keep it up!
Both Imran Khan & Asad Umar don't know that people who like them will not vote on election day, rather will sleep at homes for another relaxing holiday.
PPP voters are illiterate,large in number and have the street power.
Both Imran Khan & Asad Umar don't stand a chance.
Great Joining For PTI , I think its very big Scarifies for Asad Umar he resign from CEO job of Engro , You was taking 50 Lac Salary form this Company. v.v.v.v Huge Income in Pakistan. No Doubt Revolution has been come. Peoples are Resigning form Jobs, MNA, MPA Seats and so more. Time has been come For Change. INSHAHALLAH.
Under Asad Umer's leadership Engro expanded by taking on over RS 120 billion (USD 1.3 billion) in debt which it is struggling to pay. The company also introduced the Rupiah certificate which was aimed at retail investors offering to pay 14.5% which was a nonsensical product for the retail because they could have for no risk bought a government bond which has mutliple time more liquidity and earned almost the same return. To sell the Rupiah, Engro embarked on a 200 million marketing campaign. Engro's stock price has fallen by over 60% in the last year and for a CEO to leave under these circumstances suggests he was removed from office. Why has no one focused on the management's folly ???
Great news..PTI will present best team in election.Asad umer is one of the excellent professional in Pakistan
It is great news for the people of Pakistan and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. This is the real face of PTI, Imran Khan's leadership and his thought that Mr. Asad Umar type people (who has only positive image) joining the PTI. I salute to Mr. Asad Umar who took early retirement from his key position job, lavish & peaceful life and decided to serve our beloved country Pakistan. I also appeal to all literate personalities who have positive image and want to save Pakistan please join PTI. I also appeal to all Pakistanis to vote PTI in next elections to save Pakistan and our future.
Asad Umar Zindabad Imran Khan Zindabad PTI Zindabad Pakistan Paindabad
Agencies at work
“The presence of soldiers in Siachen is not just wasting resources but is also having a negative impact on the environment,” this is how educated leader should talk, bravo IK
Asad Umar is by far the most credible member of the PTI (including Imran). PTI, which has already flipped flopped its views and stance over many key issues and continues to remain dodgy over terrorism and religious fundamentalists (the most recent stance being in favour of Hafiz Saeed), has significantly increased its credibility with this acquisition. Having said that Asad Umar is a rookie in politics - which could go either way really.
In the forthcoming elections I will probably vote for PTI, not because of Imran or any other previously tainted member, but only because of Asad Umar.
@Atique ur Rehman: No wonder!----you could, as well, be a "success story" if born with the same silver spoon that children of the privilege do. Being a general over here in itself an extra ordinary source of power and pelf, where as being son of one automatically guarantees a playingfield especially prepared to support him, a dice that's loaded in his favour, so no wonder that most of them turn out to be a Haroon or Humayun or a Muneer Kemal or one such as this Asad whatever. Alone the horading of wealth that is so shamelessly attributed to his talents reflects his inclinations and feelings for the down trodden and the under privileged of the land (who of course, he "loves" very much, like his leader residing in a palace does) ----- This man is, just like the rest of his class, totally devoid of any such "weakness" ! ----stil if we wish to glorify his selfish struggle (even if successful one) to make himself big name and even bigger accumulation of wealth as some act of altruism then all I can do is pity this nation.
I can see some sore losers here as Umar chose not to be part of the PPP and PML-N who have abysmally failed to deliver yet. Go IK and Umar and make the critics burn more. I love IK
Way to Go PTI, Indeed a strong addition. Ever widening intellectual gap b/w PTI and status quo parties.
God bless Pakistan! Maybe there is still hope.
Critics, are you watching the team?
Shoukat Aziz in the making!!
God save Umar & Pakistan from IK immature moves!
good news for all patriotic pakistanies
Will Asad Umar contest in the next election? if so what constituency?
Wonderful news! Asad has the talent to guide PTI to follow sound economic policy. This party is headed to change our deteriorating economic conditions!
@Hassan Bokhari this shows that you were narrow minded. who wants power rather than Pakistan!
His joining is showing that business community now hoping that only hope for CHANGE is PTI
@Arslan: why u r crying u have ameer maqam, liaqat jatoi, marvi memon, bhutoo and many other trash bin rotten eggs. so have fun
A man of success..Welcaome to PTI
Buzz Lightyear has also joined PTI - Alhamdullilah.
Brave Decision by Asad Umar & Great News for PTI but Slap on Beygairat Brigade :)
@was a Pakistani:
Asad Asad was a Pakistani, is a Pakistani and will remain a Pakistani. The man who left a job which is a dream of all people and joined a party to serve his country. I am proud of being a Pakistani as we still have people in our nation who give more value to change this country rather than sitting abroad and waiting for their green cards.
Who is he?
@Uza Syed: That guy is a success story - so yes, no wonder!
@Umer: This guy is son of a General---so no wonder!
asad omer.a person who has left his lavish and peaceful life just for the sake of bringing a change in his country . i wish him good luck
Long Live PTI
Cheeta ! Thats fantastic ,
A very Welcome move...Change is in the air..!!
@Hassan Bokhari: He is rich as a self made man who grew up the ladder on monthly salaries like millions of other pakistanis. Keep your cynism within yourself as then every hard working Pakistani is a cheat and does not deserve success. Also, being rich is not a crime as long as it is halal and you pay taxes and zakat.
Who is vote grabber. None of them. They are big names for city dwellers or corporate heads.
A welcome addition to party. He can single handedly put Pakistan's economy back on track
I'm much concerned for Engro!
@Geeko, you are right our military is as common as any other professional Pakistani-es and if they really behind PTI in some of ppl thought then I am happy and its a sign they are more sincere with Pakistan............... Go ahead PTI...............we are with you..............
@Umer: As long as it's Pakistan's military, I don't see any problem. They're citizens like the doctor, teacher or chaiwala.
@Alamgeer: Hopefully it will! At least it should. I think a lot here know about Asad Umar because of his TEDxTalk about Thar coal, and as we all know, Imran Khan has the same ambition concerning these resources, so I'd expect him to have some say about the energy crisis report which should come out soon, for instance. But Imran Khan in the press conference already said that he'll be an active member of such solutions.
Valuable addition in PTI, hope it will make some difference
@Hassan Bokhari:
Lets grow out of our own selves and for once appreciate what IK, PTI and now AU are doing. Its a bold step - lets not be cynical of each and everything. And kudos to you being having been an ex-PTI member - happy?
this is the sign the change is on the way..............I hope rest of the best will follow the lead.............best of luck Asad..................
@Umer: If you seriously think establishment is behind pushing AU to PTI....you are living in a fool's paradise. you need to read a lil bit more about AU before making such statements and then talk of seeing things in context
Asad Umar, what a value addition to PTI ! The dream team is finally being made. Bring more selfless people and brilliant minds in the party.
Jewish Spy!!!! LOLX!!! MAULANA ,,,,,,,,, AND PASHA ROCKS ONCE AGAIN ,,,N LEAGUE!!! FEEL REALLY PITY ON U!! !! ANY WAY THIS SHOWS IK'S SINCERITY AND EMOTIONS TOWARDS THE NATION!!! ZARDARI , MAULANA,ASFAND, AND MIAN SAHIB JAAN DYA < PAKISTAN KI APNI QISMAT AZMAAN DYO!!!!
@Hassan Bokhari: If you had been working for Pakistan's cause, it shouldn't have bothered you who is the front face!
Good luck to Umar Asad in this new arena which in our country is riddled with every conceivable ills. we need some educated out there and Umar is surely the one who has enough insight of the issues that has been afflicting this country. Being a pragmatist he can help steer this country out of despair.
@Hassan Bokhari: through new party elecions, you have a chance to rise to VP position as well, provided you have those leadership skills.
Good news for all Pakistani nation, Inshaalh all the talent of Pakistan including Dr.AQ Khan will join PTI soon.
@Z:
It just means establishment’s support of PTI goes stronger and stronger. See everything in context not in isolation.
@Umer: So are you saying that the millions of Pakistanis who have had relatives serving in the military have no right to be involved in political life? Let me guess, the next retort will be ISI related.
Not a big fan of this 'headless tsunami' but I do respect Mr Umar for being a great visionary and an accomplished individual. Hope this move will benefit the masses at some point.
I feel Asad as Jack Welsh of Engro and always look forward to work with him. However, now i think its never possible.
For PTI definitely a good news. These type of people are seldom available in politics so he is really a value addition.
Best wishes. I hope other honest, hardworking will soon join politics.
great addition to PTI
So Military family persons can not participates in politics! This is new for me!
A persons who just left his million rupee job and joins a party for betterment of Nation has been targeted by readers here!
i heard that his salary was 1 million US $. which actually means that he left job of Rs. 75,00,000 per month to join PTI.
Just listened to the press conference. So humble, so down to earth, so genuine and so passionate was Asad sitting by the great Khan and I was thinking that One day, one beautiful day, I shall be proudly telling to my children and grandchildren that I lived in the era of great Khan who transformed Pakistan though his sheer passion, dedication and faith but most importantly he made us realize about our dreams.
Good to see a clean addition to PTI. Hopefully he would help in modernising and cleaning up Pakistani politics like his company.
Now that's called a dream team! Congratulations.
But Imran Khan announcement without bullet proof dais is simply idiotic. He should be careful
@Hassan Bokhari: There are some individual out there who - believe me - are ready to sacrifice their own little egos for a greater purpose - the nation. And that's why peoples like Omar Cheema or Naeem-ul-Haq who are the "oldies" gave their place to what they see as more competent, and others like Saif Ullah Khan Niazi are rarely in the news despite being the pillars of the party and its founding fathers à la Mehmood Awan just appeared in some sporadic Youtube videos.
And you know what ? After listening to Mr Asad Umar, I believe that he's one of those self-less men who in fact doesn't really care about being "Senior Vice-President" & all. Like thousands and thousands of other who work for Pakistan through PTI, not for themselves or Imran Khan. Because patriotism is simply the best cure against such disease.
He is from a military family, so no surprise there.
@Hassan Bokhari: If you are a true worker of the party, you would be very happy about this news. PTI is a merit based party, if you think you are good enough then prove it! As simple as that!
Good news. We can use every bit of these accomplished candidates to direct the economy better!
@Hassan: Asad Umer is one of the legends of the corporate world. Do you want someone like 'you' whose only qualification is to have joined PTI few years back to be preferred to some talent like him? I think you believe in nepotism more than meritocracy.
Good news. We need accomplished candidates to give party more boost!
Something tells me this is just the begining for the PTI. And quite a begining, may I add.
another great edition in pti
This is the change Khan had been telling us about all along.
Look what hes done here .. hes pulled out a dynamic and perhaps Pakistans best corporate CEO out of his office and put him to the cause of Pakistans.
Mian Sb can never attract this sort of talent. You would soon hear him accuse Shuja Pasha for this development too.
Our message to him though remains the same .. Mian Sbbb .. jaa'n deyo! .. Awaam dee waa'ri aa'n deyo! =)
All Hail!
Khan takes another huge wicket! Kudos!
Just make him a "Senior Vice President" as well like all other new rich entry's into the party and continue to push back the original PTI worker. - By the way, this statement comes from a former PTI member...myself.
Great news. Made my day!