PHOTO: fb.com/Omar-Ayub-Khan
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Omar said this has also been proven earlier when the Supreme Court had ordered re-polls on seven polling stations of the constituency on January 29, 2014 and he had subsequently edged out Dr Raja Amir Zaman. “The seat has been ours for the past four decades,” he added.
Omar said back then he had secured 117,400 votes and Babar’s 137,219 votes were all from the same polling stations.
“This is the outcome of the party’s efforts for the people of Haripur,” he said.
Omar, who has also served as a state minister for finance, said during his 13 months on the seat between March 2014 and June 2015, he initiated projects like the 44 kilometre Khanpur-Taxila Road costing Rs660 million, Sarai Saleh Bridge worth Rs45 million, Sarai Naimat Khan and Ghazi electricity feeders worth Rs10 million each.
“Approval for the 132kVA Rehana-Sarai Saleh grid station was also obtained and land was acquired,” he said. “Additionally, the Baldher dry port and 400 low-tension poles were also okayed.”
For the record
The grandson of Field Marshal Ayub Khan also broke his silence over opting out of the NA-19 race and filing a review petition against the poll.
He said the SC decision to de-seat him re-poll the entire constituency was a 2-1 split verdict. On June 19, his counsel, Akram Sheikh, filed an application before the SC registrar, requesting the matter be referred to a larger bench since there were multiple judgments issued by the apex court regarding partial re-polls.
“The application brought to light the fact that a minority bench overturned a majority bench decision,” Omar said.
He added the registrar did not accept the application however, allowed chamber hearing before Justice Saqib Nisar on August 11, 2015. After hearing the preliminary arguments, Justice Nisar termed the application maintainable and ordered a hearing before a three-member bench on August 12.
“I never moved the application to stay the electoral process that was scheduled for August 16,” Omar maintained. He said the matter is still sub judice and is largely a legal battle against Amir.
Omar said he bowed out of the re-poll because his mother is suffering from Stage 4 cancer. “I not only supported Babar when he was being considered for the ticket but also played my part in his campaign,” he said. The former lawmaker said he even left his Ghazi office at Babar’s disposal. “His victory indicates that the entire party has worked diligently in Haripur and that all office-bearers have pitched in,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 19th, 2015.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ