PTI demands equal footing in election campaign

Seeks ECP's permission to hold a convention; asserts poll supervisory body cannot strip it of 'Bat'

RAWALPINDI:

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has urged for a level playing field for their election campaign, seeking permission from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold a convention for its upcoming poll drive.

Addressing the media outside Adiala Jail following a meeting with former PTI chairman Imran Khan, Gohar reiterated the demand for fair electoral conditions, adding he has sought guidance from Imran for the party’s strategy.

He announced that PTI would not engage in any electoral alliance with any party associated with the PDM.

Reflecting on a meeting with President Dr Arif Alvi held a day earlier, Gohar said the two-hour meeting was “positive”.

"We appealed to the president for a fair playground for PTI and to ensure transparency in the upcoming elections."

President Alvi shares the belief that elections must be transparent and that all political parties must be allowed to participate, he added.

Addressing concerns regarding the delay in allotting PTI its election symbol 'bat', Gohar stressed the urgency, indicating that while the allotment was mandated within seven days, it has now exceeded ten days.

Read also: Undeterred, PTI to plough ahead with poll drive

He reiterated that the ECP cannot strip a political party of its election symbol.

Pointing to alleged attempts to isolate PTI, the PTI chief conveyed the founding chairman's demand for transparent election requisites to be met, citing ongoing conspiracies against the party.

Calling upon the ECP’s responsibility for transparent elections, he urged an immediate announcement of the election schedule.

Gohar vehemently denounced the indictment of Imran Khan and former foreign minister and party leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the cypher case.

Meanwhile, PTI General Secretary Omar Ayub has announced to hold first virtual public meeting on December 17 at 9pm.

In a statement, he expressed the hope that PTI would win the general elections scheduled to be held on February 8.