Pakistani-origin candidate takes leave from govt job to contest Canadian elections

An unusual Pakistani-origin candidate, Rana Aslam, has announced that he is taking a one-day leave from his government job to contest the elections in Canada. 

Aslam said that if he wins, he will resign from his job, otherwise, he will return to work the very next day.

Running from the Hamilton constituency under the banner of the Liberal Party of Canada, Aslam has received strong support from party leader Mark Carney, the Canadian prime minister, who has visited Hamilton twice to campaign for him.

Interestingly, Aslam also serves as a government-employed engineer in Hamilton. As per regulations, he has taken leave to participate in the election. If he wins and becomes a Member of Parliament, he will resign from his job on April 29. If he does not succeed, he plans to resume his engineering duties once his leave ends on the same date.

Originally from Multan, Aslam moved to Hamilton in 2003. He joined the Liberal Party in 2010 and has since held various party positions. While fulfilling family responsibilities, he also returned to school in Canada to complete his education. He is now contesting from a relatively underprivileged and problem-stricken constituency in Hamilton.

Speaking to Geo News in an interview, he said that US President Trump's tariff policy had increased difficulties for the aluminium manufacturing industry based in Hamilton. He said that within just one month, $3.5 million had to be paid in tariffs on aluminum supplied to the United States. Therefore, if elected, he would focus on new construction, road building and repair, and other civic amenities in his constituency, he added.

In response to a question, he mentioned that the number of Pakistani-Canadian voters in his constituency was very small. However, he enjoys the active support and cooperation of his very sincere Pakistani friends, and other minority communities have also assured him of their backing, he maintained.

According to sources, Aslam is facing a tough contest against the candidate of the left-wing party NDP in this constituency. However, due to the increasing popularity of the Liberal Party, his position is considered strong.

Aslam has a great love for his homeland Pakistan and the mangoes of Shujaabad. Unlike Pakistani politicians who tend to campaign with large motorcades, he was seen meeting voters in his constituency even a day before the election, wearing a volunteer badge around his neck and accompanied by a few young supporters.