Omer Ayub Khan Denounces Oath-Taking on Reserved Seats

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-supported lawmaker Omer Ayub Khan has raised strong objections, labeling the recent oath-taking of Members National Assembly (MNAs) on reserved seats as “unconstitutional.” The contentious statement follows the swearing-in of several newly elected lawmakers on reserved seats in the National Assembly (NA), administered by NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq amidst disruptions and protests from PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) members.

Asserting his stance, Ayub, who is touted as Imran Khan’s nominee for the leader of the opposition, decried the legality of the oath taking ceremony, stating, “Today’s oath-taking of MNAs on reserved seats is illegal and has no [legal] standing.” He questioned the viability of governance without adherence to the rule of law, emphasizing that such practices undermine the functioning of the system.

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The controversy deepens as the Peshawar High Court (PHC) extends the stay order on the oath taking ceremony for lawmakers assigned to reserved seats, a move contested by PTI-backed SIC until March 13.

In response, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan reiterated the PHC’s stay order on oath taking, stressing that it must be honored until a final decision is reached. Khan emphasized that the reserved seats allocated to PTI cannot be reassigned to any other party.

However, NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq clarified that no directives were received from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) or the court regarding the oath of MNAs on reserved seats.

Attempting to elucidate the legal intricacies, Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan clarified that the PHC’s decision directly impacts representatives of the province. He emphasized that no member under the jurisdiction of the PHC participated in the oath taking ceremony, suggesting that the court’s ruling does not extend to Sindh and Balochistan.