PTI's Omar Ayub calls for election mandate ‘restoration’

Leader of the Opposition also criticized new fiscal budget, said it will lead to surge in inflation, economic hardship

LAHORE:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker and leader of the opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Omar Ayub has called for the "restoration" of his party's mandate, citing widespread global objections to the recent elections.

Speaking to the media, Ayub who recently stepped down from PTI's secretary general position criticized the federal government's new fiscal budget, describing it as a "lethal attack" on the public that will lead to a surge in inflation.

Ayub accused the interim government, led by Mohsin Naqvi, of profiting from wheat imports worth Rs 450 billion, alleging that farmers were forced to sell their crops at negligible prices.

He warned that further exports would result in additional profiteering.

"The American government presented a resolution on the election report. The whole world is objecting to the elections, and PTI's mandate should be restored," Ayub stated.

On June 26, the United States (US) House of Representatives approved a resolution supporting democracy and human rights in Pakistan, urging an impartial investigation into claims of irregularities in the country's February 8 general elections.

The PTI leader also mentioned resigning from his role as PTI Secretary General because he felt unable to serve justice in the position.

He added that they are appealing against a technical dismissal of a related case in the high court.

Ayub's resignation from party positions was unanimously rejected by the PTI Parliamentary Committee which passed a resolution urging him to continue in his role.

The committee called on PTI founder Imran Khan to not accept Ayub’s resignation.