Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Omar Ayub Khan emerged from hiding after six months, a day following the death of his father, former foreign minister Gohar Ayub Khan.
Omar Ayub Khan arrived in Rehana, Haripur, on Saturday to attend his father’s funeral. This marks his first public appearance in months, during which he had been evading arrest after being implicated in multiple cases related to violent protests on May 9.
Omar Ayub Khan, who currently serves as the PTI’s secretary-general, has been declared an absconder in several cases. Despite regularly posting on X, he has not been seen in public or attended any political events.
He announced his father’s death through a post on X and mentioned that the funeral would take place in Rehana at 3 pm on Saturday.
Omar Ayub Khan joined the PTI in 2018, shortly before the party won a general election and formed the government. He served as the minister for petroleum, energy, and economic affairs under Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Gohar Ayub Khan, the former foreign minister and speaker of the National Assembly, was the son of former dictator Ayub Khan and had been active in politics until 1999. He passed away in a private hospital in Islamabad after a brief illness.
Punjab imposes smart lockdown in 10 smog-hit districts
Meanwhile, in response to the deteriorating smog situation in Punjab, authorities have implemented a smart lockdown in 10 districts, including Lahore. The Air Quality Index in Lahore has once again surpassed 400, earning the city the title of the world’s most polluted city.
The districts under smart lockdown include Lahore, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad, and Mandi Bahauddin. A notification from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority outlines restrictions on movement and economic activities in these districts, with the closure of schools and universities. However, markets, gyms, and cinemas are permitted to open after 3 pm.
In response to the lockdown measures, Lahore’s traders have expressed willingness to comply with the 3 pm opening time set by the government. However, they emphasize the need for additional and more concrete steps to effectively combat smog. Trader leader Naeem Mir called for a comprehensive strategy and the formation of a special task force by the government to address the smog issue.
