Asad Umar. PHOTO: SANA/ FILE
After facing strong resistance within the party, the ruling PML-N on Tuesday awarded Advocate Ashraf Gujjar a ticket to contest the by-election from NA-48 instead of former Rawalpindi MNA Hanif Abbasi.
Gujjar is a former president of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association and had been struggling to get a PML-N ticket since the date for the by-election was announced by the Election Commission. A few hours before the deadline for the submission of nomination papers on Tuesday, a series of comedic errors saw the ticket awarded to Gujjar.
Sources in the party told The Express Tribune that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif went against his brother Shahbaz’s pick — Abbasi — because there was strong resistance from party members as Abbasi had lost the general election from his home constituency of NA-56 and was being investigated in the ephedrine scam.
Then, late on Monday, after Abbasi’s name was withdrawn, the PML-N gave a green signal to Khan, but the returning officer (RO) had other ideas, as Khan had already withdrawn his nomination papers.
On Tuesday, Khan submitted an application to the RO claiming his counsel had withdrawn his nomination papers without consulting him, the RO rejected it, saying the counsel was a responsible person.
When contacted, Khan said he would appeal against the decision before an election tribunal. He claimed that the party had awarded him the ticket, but his counsel took this decision without taking him on board.
The party then awarded the ticket to Gujjar, who was third in line.
The RO has issued a final list of candidates which includes Asad Umar from PTI, PML-N’s Gujjar and PPP’s Faisal Sakhi Butt. The JI’s Mian Aslam had already withdrawn his nomination papers after his party decided to boycott by-elections in Punjab and the capital.
The real contest is between the PML-N and PTI, which split the capital’s two seats in the general elections. Sources in the party said Gujjar was not as strong a candidate as Khan, who had secured 52,205 votes in the last general election. However, other party members said Gujjar had a significant vote bank in the legal community, which might be enough to win the capital’s seat.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st, 2013.
COMMENTS (19)
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Addressed to Raisani now i hope after listening me,you will not say who is taseer ch? i give profile Ashraf Gujjar. He is a self made person and is poineer president of islamabad high court bar association. he played a vital role for integrity of judiciary and judicial reforms.he challenged riaz malik and musharaff in SC.GujjaR has been offered many distinguished positions but de denied as he a lawyer and remain among his fraternity for their rights. He did a lot for labour unions and legal fraternity.He is not a millionaire but a common man and deserves to represent NA-48.He has a dynamic personality and potential to address the problems of NA-48 .If you compare him with PTI belonging to karachi,Gujjar is much better.
@Ch. Allah Daad: PEOPLE, Now who's this Allah Daad? :) lol
People like ASAD UMAR are the need of hour. The positions in NA are for educated, literate and honorable people not smugglers, looter and selfish personalities.
Until honorable people are elected as representative the SHARIFFS and BHUTTO/ZARDARIS will keep on eating up the nation.
Just imagine that their leadership has gotten individual PAKISTAN under 50,000 plus of debt....Which means that these thugs took loans from foreign donors for their lavish lifestyle by burdening ordinary hard working civilian........The looter money is stacked in western bank accounts in Dollars, so for them it's EID every day the Rupee loses against Dollar.
"However, other party members said Gujjar had a significant vote bank in the legal community, which might be enough to win the capital’s seat." Utter lie!!! Even Lawyer belonging to PMLN are against him.
@Ch. Allah Daad @Raisani I belong to NA-48, last time too Anjum Aqeel only managed to secure votes from Rural area of Islamabad. Whereas, Javed Hashmi scored lot more than him. So now Mr. Ashraf Gujjar, is ex-PMLQ and very close friend of Justice Dogar. He won election of IslamabadHC bar Association, so that he can become HC judge, which he failed. Even Justice Dogar didnt make him judge. now he is trying his luck in Politics. He is power hunger, selfish person. After wining elections of Islamabad bar, he betrayed his own voters. Many Gujjar lawyers who voted for him, are now against him due to his selfish attitude.
@Raisani: You will come to know Ashraf Gujjar, when he wins with a big margin. Asad Umar has no chance.
the guy who left his 57 lack month salary just for the gud futher of pakistan nd as a resident of capital ,em sure ppl wil nt betraye like punjab ppl did,sure all with Asad nt with PML.N !!!
Asad Umer all the way!! Its high-time some clean & reputable candidates step into our legislative halls.
By the way, who's Ashraf Gujjar? anybody please :).
With Asad Umer I see a glimmer of hope at the end of tunnel. I hope and pray for his success
Best of luck Asad Umar. InshaAllah you will win. We are all behind you.
@Muhammad Saim: I'd be glad if Asad Umer wins, not because I like him, but because I like the way he speaks out the truth; and because I hope that he would either induce some positive change within "the club of looters and plunderers...." or come out and assert his rightful place in public life of the country. Good luck!
Asad Umar will make the cut, inshallah.
Asad Umer is more appropriate candidate than any other in NA-48. He is well educated, professional and has a clean background.
@Saim: you can't do anything and also don't want any good person to try changing the system ? lol
AU deserves this victory, inshaALLAH he'l win
Asad umar being a typical corporate sector bureaucrate is a burden on PTI and among the factors that are disappointing PTI's supporters
I would be sad if Asad wins, not becuase I dont like him, but because I like him and dont want to see him joining the club of looters and plunders.....