Omar Ayub Disqualification Reference: Hearing Postponed Indefinitely Due to Absence of Opposition Leader

ISLAMABAD – The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has postponed the hearing of a disqualification reference against Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and PTI leader Omar Ayub indefinitely, due to his continued absence.
The case, related to discrepancies in asset declarations, was heard by a five-member commission headed by the Chief Election Commissioner. Omar Ayub failed to appear once again, with his junior counsel informing the commission that the senior lawyer was attending proceedings at the Peshawar High Court.
Accepting the counsel’s request, the ECP granted another opportunity for Omar Ayub to submit his response. However, the Chief Election Commissioner instructed not to issue a new date, effectively putting the matter on hold for an indefinite period.
Meanwhile, a hearing on supplementary petitions filed by Omar Ayub against the ECP proceedings also took place, presided over by Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Farah Jamshed at the Peshawar High Court.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that the ECP initiated an inquiry into Ayub’s assets based on pre-election matters, which the commission is not authorized to pursue post-election. He also noted that the ECP had filed a petition seeking to vacate the stay order granted in favor of Ayub.
The ECP’s counsel maintained that under the law, the commission must resolve asset declaration issues within 90 days, and that Ayub had obtained a stay order to delay proceedings.
Justice Syed Arshad Ali remarked that the court will give a final date and scheduled the next hearing for August 12. The court directed the ECP to refrain from taking action against the petitioner until that date, affirming that the hearing would proceed without further adjournment.
The Peshawar High Court has adjourned the case until August 12.