Rehan Zeb Khan

Rehan Zeb Khan (Urdu: ریحان زیب خان; died 31 January 2024) was a Pakistani politician who was a leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. He was an election candidate in NA-8 Bajaur participating in the 8 February 2024 elections.^[1][2]

Rehan Zeb Khan
ریحان زیب خان
Died	(2024-01-31)31 January 2024
Nationality	Pakistani
Occupation	Politician
Known for	Leader of Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party
Political party	Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
Relatives	Mubarak Zeb Khan (brother)

Career

Khan was an independent candidate in the 8 February elections who claimed the support of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party.^[3] Despite the ban on PTI from contesting elections due to a recent court order, Khan was contesting the National Assembly seat from Bajaur constituency.^[4] The deceased Rehan Zeb was a supporter of PTI, but after not getting PTI tickets, he raised questions on social media about the distribution of tickets. PTI has given party ticket for National Assembly in NA-8 to Gul Zafar Khan while PK-22 ticket to Gul Dad Khan. Rehanzeb was participating in the National and Provincial Assembly elections as an independent candidate. Rehanzeb had also exposed the corruption in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on January 12, after which he was being criticized by troll accounts linked to Tehreek-e-Insaf declared him as party-backed candidate on official accounts, then removed the statement.^{[citation needed]}

Assassination

Rehan Zeib Khan was assassinated on 31 January 2024 during the election campaign in Sadiqabad Phatak Bazar Main Chowk in Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Three of his supporters were also shot and injured.^[2][5]

Khan's killing sparked fears of an increase in violence surrounding the parliamentary vote. His death was a major event before the 2024 general elections.^[6][7]

References

1. Ali, Mushtaq (31 January 2024). "Pakistan election candidate shot dead in tribal district - police". Reuters. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
2. "PTI-affiliated candidate Rehan Zeb Khan gunned down in Bajaur.The deceased Rehanzeb was a supporter of PTI, but after not getting PTI tickets, he raised questions on social media about the distribution of tickets. PTI has given party ticket for National Assembly in NA-8 to Gul Zafar Khan while PK-22 ticket to Gul Dad Khan. Rehanzeb was participating in the National and Provincial Assembly elections as an independent candidate. After Rehanzeb's murder, Tehreek-e-Insaf declared him as party-backed candidate on official accounts, then removed the statement". The Nation. 31 January 2024.
3. "Who Was Rehan Zeb Khan? Imran Khan-Led PTI Party Leader Shot Dead In Bajaur Rally". TimesNow. 1 February 2024.
4. "Independent candidate Rehan Zeb Khan gunned down in Bajaur". Dunya News. 31 January 2024.
5. "Pakistan election candidate shot dead in tribal district: police". Brecorder. 31 January 2024.
6. "Elections 2024: PTI-backed candidate Rehan Zeb Khan shot dead in Bajaur". Daily Pakistan Global. 31 January 2024.
7. "Violence mars electioneering activities as multiple blasts target Balochistan". www.geo.tv.