Omar Ayub Claims Assassination Attempt by IG Islamabad and Federal Government

Peshawar: Opposition Leader and PTI leader Omar Ayub has claimed that an assassination attempt was made on him by the Inspector General of Islamabad Police (IG) and the federal government.
Speaking to the media during a court hearing, Omar Ayub alleged that bogus cases had been fabricated against him, including charges related to motorcycle theft. He added that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership stands in solidarity with the families of the martyrs and the injured, and has announced financial support for them. He called for the Prime Minister to form a committee to bring the facts to light.
Omar Ayub praised Ali Amin Gandapur, saying that he had not slept for an hour and was deeply involved in the party’s efforts. He also criticized the obstacles placed in the way of their peaceful protest. He recalled how the Chief Minister had urged them to remain peaceful and avoid entering the Red Zone.
Referring to the alleged assassination attempt, Ayub stated, “The assassination attempt on me was carried out by IG Islamabad and the federal government.” He urged the Chief Justice to form a fact-finding committee and called for a judicial inquiry into the incident.
He also raised concerns about the deployment of over 300 Rangers in Haripur, questioning how security forces were allowed to enter Khyber Pakhtunkhwa without permission. Ayub claimed that security forces fired upon unarmed civilians, an act which he said the constitution does not permit. He further accused the use of sniper rifles, typically employed against terrorists, on ordinary citizens. He alleged that U.S.-supplied weapons were used against the public.
The PTI leader condemned the incident where a person was thrown off a container while offering prayers, calling it an unprecedented and inhumane act. He demanded that the officers responsible be court-martialed and given exemplary punishment.
Ayub also took a swipe at the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), saying that instead of pursuing cases against PTI leaders, they should go after the alleged corruption of Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz.
On the issue of political rumors, Ayub clarified that no one had advised Bushra Bibi to stay away from politics, and rejected any talk of a leadership change within PTI, stating that all major decisions are made by the party’s founding leader, Imran Khan.
In an earlier hearing, the Peshawar High Court granted protective bail to Omar Ayub and Faisal Amin in relation to the cases filed against them. A two-member bench, consisting of Justice Waqar Ahmad and Justice Dr. Khurshid Iqbal, ruled that neither of them should be arrested until December 19.