PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan discusses his meeting with former army chief General (Retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, political negotiations, Governor’s Rule and the party’s participation in Islamabad’s local government elections.
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan has clarified that his interaction with former army chief General (Retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa was limited to exchanging greetings, denying reports of any substantive discussion. He also said he had no personal agenda and that all his decisions had been made with the blessings of PTI founder Imran Khan.
Speaking to the media on Adiala Road, Barrister Gohar condemned what he described as propaganda against him and reiterated his commitment to the party’s position.
Discussing the political situation, he said Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman was part of the joint opposition, but talking about launching a protest movement was premature. He noted that Maulana Fazlur Rehman and the PTI had different political approaches, although the party had wanted to form an alliance with him. Their meetings, he said, had taken place in connection with the All Parties Conference.
The PTI chairman welcomed the Islamabad High Court’s order concerning meetings with prisoners and expressed hope that it would be implemented. He said the courts had an important role to play amid the prevailing political tensions.
Regarding Imran Khan’s health, Barrister Gohar said the information shared by Barrister Salman Safdar after meeting the PTI founder was not encouraging.
He also clarified that the PTI was not boycotting local government elections and would participate fully. According to him, party members had been directed to prepare nomination papers for three constituencies in Islamabad.
On contacts with the government, Barrister Gohar said communication with the government and the interior minister continued out of necessity because other avenues available to the PTI remained closed.
Commenting on Governor’s Rule, he said that even if shortcomings had occurred during the PTI government’s tenure, imposing Governor’s Rule was not the solution. He urged the authorities to withdraw it, saying there was still time to do so.
He further said there was currently no backchannel communication or negotiations taking place. He also observed that the government appeared helpless in certain matters.
Speaking about Imran Khan’s sisters, Barrister Gohar expressed hope that they would be released soon. He stressed that dialogue was essential to reducing political tensions.
Regarding the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, he said the party had no information about his whereabouts, although reports suggested he was in Peshawar. He added that a petition had been filed in the Peshawar High Court, but the Constitutional Court had stopped the proceedings.
Barrister Gohar also cautioned against interpreting the absence of public protests as a sign that the political situation had improved. He said those holding such views were living in a “fool’s paradise.”
On anti-encroachment operations, he maintained that encroachments should not be allowed under any circumstances and called for uniform action across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said illegal occupation of government land must be removed.
Concluding his remarks on accountability, the PTI chairman said audit objections were routinely referred to the Public Accounts Committee and maintained that the party followed a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption.
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