By-elections: PTI likely to field Asad Umar in NA-48
Party takes decision after consulting Imran Khan.
Former Engro CEO Asad Umar with PTI chief Imran Khan at a press conference at PTI Secretariat in Islamabad. PHOTO: SANA
ISLAMABAD:
Asad Umar, economist- turned politician and party vice president, is likely to be the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate for NA-48 Islamabad by-elections, sources said.
A party insider told the Express Investigation Cell (EIC) that PTI chief Imran Khan decided to field Umar in the by-polls for NA-48 after taking input from the party leaders who met him at Shaukat Khanum Hospital. A formal announcement to this effect will be made once the PTI parliamentary board endorses Umar’s nomination.
After a formal notification of the May 11 election winners, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will announce the schedule for by-polls in constituencies to be vacated by winners of more than one seat.
The NA-48 covers most of the urban areas of Islamabad. It contains 30% rural population and majority of its voters turn up on the polling day for exercising their right to vote.
As a party vice president, Umar enjoys a good reputation within and outside PTI. He had joined PTI last year after resigning from Engro Pakistan. He was the chief executive of the company.
Umar manages policy work of PTI for different key sectors like the economy.
Javed Hashmi of PTI had won from NA-48 in the May 11 general elections. He had also bagged a National Assembly seat from NA-149. Hashmi preferred to retain his home constituency --NA 149—and vacate his NA-48 Islamabad seat.
In general elections, NA-48 of Islamabad has emerged as a stronghold of PTI. Its vibrant and emotionally motivated workers had made a good show for party nominee in the May 11 elections and finally secured Hashmi’s win from this constituency.
In 2008 Anjum Aqeel Khan of PML- N had won the seat. Aqeel Khan’s defeat in the May 11 elections may compel PML-N leadership to bring a new face as its candidate for NA-48. Since NA-48 is one of the two seats of Islamabad, it matters more than any other constituency in general and by-elections. Other parties like PPP, Jamaat-e-Islami and the ANP will also field their candidates for NA-48 to show their presence in the capital.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2013.
Asad Umar, economist- turned politician and party vice president, is likely to be the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate for NA-48 Islamabad by-elections, sources said.
A party insider told the Express Investigation Cell (EIC) that PTI chief Imran Khan decided to field Umar in the by-polls for NA-48 after taking input from the party leaders who met him at Shaukat Khanum Hospital. A formal announcement to this effect will be made once the PTI parliamentary board endorses Umar’s nomination.
After a formal notification of the May 11 election winners, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will announce the schedule for by-polls in constituencies to be vacated by winners of more than one seat.
The NA-48 covers most of the urban areas of Islamabad. It contains 30% rural population and majority of its voters turn up on the polling day for exercising their right to vote.
As a party vice president, Umar enjoys a good reputation within and outside PTI. He had joined PTI last year after resigning from Engro Pakistan. He was the chief executive of the company.
Umar manages policy work of PTI for different key sectors like the economy.
Javed Hashmi of PTI had won from NA-48 in the May 11 general elections. He had also bagged a National Assembly seat from NA-149. Hashmi preferred to retain his home constituency --NA 149—and vacate his NA-48 Islamabad seat.
In general elections, NA-48 of Islamabad has emerged as a stronghold of PTI. Its vibrant and emotionally motivated workers had made a good show for party nominee in the May 11 elections and finally secured Hashmi’s win from this constituency.
In 2008 Anjum Aqeel Khan of PML- N had won the seat. Aqeel Khan’s defeat in the May 11 elections may compel PML-N leadership to bring a new face as its candidate for NA-48. Since NA-48 is one of the two seats of Islamabad, it matters more than any other constituency in general and by-elections. Other parties like PPP, Jamaat-e-Islami and the ANP will also field their candidates for NA-48 to show their presence in the capital.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2013.