ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Secretariat has clarified that the disqualification of former Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub remains a sub judice matter, even as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced by-elections in 13 constituencies, including Mr Ayub’s, scheduled for Nov 23. The NA response came after PTI leader Amir Dogar drew attention to procedural rules governing the appointment of the opposition leader.
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According to the NA Secretariat, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has not yet announced the schedule for submission of proposals for the opposition leader, as stipulated under Rules 39 and 9-B of the National Assembly’s Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business 2007. The matter will proceed only once the speaker makes the requisite announcement on the house floor, allowing all members equal opportunity to propose a candidate.
The Secretariat also referenced the Oct 29 Supreme Court order, which set aside a Peshawar High Court decision that had adjourned writ petitions indefinitely and directed the high court to determine and dispose of petitions concerning Mr Ayub’s disqualification. The NA spokesperson confirmed that the case remains under review before the Peshawar High Court.
Meanwhile, the ECP has issued campaign guidelines for the 13 constituencies, including NA-18 Haripur, NA-96 Faisalabad-II, and NA-129 Lahore-XIII, among others. The commission emphasized a 48-hour election silence period prior to polling and warned that violations could result in imprisonment of up to two years, fines up to Rs100,000, or both. Political parties and candidates were urged to conduct campaigns in an orderly and peaceful manner.
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Political analyst Ahmed Bilal Mehboob noted that if the sub judice matter concerns only Omar Ayub’s appointment as opposition leader, holding by-elections in his constituency poses no issue. However, if the matter pertains to the validity of his election, announcing a by-election schedule could be legally questionable.