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Omar Ayub Khan, confidant of former PM Imran Khan. Photo/Twitter
ISLAMABAD – Despite a crackdown on his party, a mobile phone network outage on Election Day, and deadly election-related violence, Pakistan's 130 million voters gave former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his allies a landslide victory in last week's election. However, Khan's party could not form a government because it failed to form a new government.
Last week, Khan, who was ousted in 2022 and is now imprisoned on criminal charges – which he says were politically motivated – made it clear who he wanted to replace Iman Khan, namely Omar Ayub Khan. The support was announced on Thursday by a senior member of Khan's party who met the jailed former leader.
According to Time, the 56-year-old former finance minister wrote in X that he was “very honored” by the nomination. “PTI as a party will work towards strengthening democratic institutions in Pakistan so that the country's economy can be on a positive path and we can start our reform program to benefit the people of Pakistan,” he said. “We will not allow our mandate to be stolen.”
Although candidates backed by Khan—most of whom were registered as independents, including Ayub, due to moves taken by the Election Commission to cripple Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party—won the most seats in last week's election , but they were unsuccessful. has a majority alone to form a government. Coalition negotiations are underway before elected lawmakers convene for the National Assembly session on February 29.
Who is Omar Ayub Khan? Politician trusted by former PM Imran Khan who is being nominated as leader of Pakistan
1. Have to compete with Shehbaz Sharif
As a candidate for Prime Minister, Ayub will face former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who leads a rival coalition consisting of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan People's Party and is believed to be the preferred candidate of Pakistan's powerful military forces.
Here's what to know about Ayub, who, if Khan's popular movement continues to defy the odds, could become the country's next leader.
2. Caught in 21 Legal Scandals
According to local media reports, 21 cases have been filed against Ayub, including several related to the massive protests that took place after Khan's arrest in May. The charges are seen as part of a broader effort to prosecute Khan—who also faces more than 180 criminal charges—and his associates to reduce the PTI's influence and increase the military's power.
Ayub went into hiding when police began arresting PTI figures and their contacts—including people with ties to Ayub, such as his personal secretary and business associates—following violent protests last May.
In addition to the charges brought against him, Ayub also faced other forms of intimidation from authorities, including being beaten by police in 2022 during a PTI demonstration and having his home raided last May.
Despite his criminal charges, Ayub is still eligible to run for prime minister.
Ayub, who was appointed General Secretary of the PTI last year, said his focus if he became Prime Minister would be to free political prisoners.