Only my words represent Imran's narrative: Gohar

Urges SC to address PTI's reservations about electoral process; clarifies Imran never distrust towards CJP Isa

LAHORE:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Saturday asserted that only his words should be regarded as the authentic representation of Imran Khan's narrative.

Gohar, who was recently appointed as the new PTI chairman as a "stop-gap arrangement", said only his words should be interpreted as straight from the horse’s mouth when it comes to the narrative of the party’s former chief.

Addressing the media here, Gohar pointed to the Supreme Court's prior directives emphasising the timely conduct of general elections.

He unequivocally asserted that the “recent resolution” passed in the upper house of parliament by 14 senators to postpone the general elections slated for Feb 8 “lacks any legal or constitutional validity”.

Emphasising the completion of consultations regarding the allocation of party tickets to election candidates, he announced that the PTI would unveil the list of its candidates within the next day or two.

He said that the PTI shared amicable relations with all state institutions, dispelling any notions of discord. Further, he clarified that incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan has never expressed distrust towards Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, urging against unfounded assertions.

Barrister Gohar appealed to the Supreme Court to intervene and restore the PTI's iconic "bat" symbol, highlighting alleged bias against the party.

Read also: PTI to knock at SC doors to reclaim ‘Bat’

Expressing concerns about the purported mistreatment of PTI leaders and workers during the electoral process, he called upon the judiciary to promptly address these issues.

He also criticised the caretaker government for deviating from its impartial role and adopting a partisan stance, questioning the prospects of democracy under such circumstances.

He reaffirmed the PTI's commitment to the state and the nation, advocating for the supremacy of law.

During a media interaction, Sher Afzal Khan Marwat, a senior party leader and Imran Khan's legal counsel, affirmed the unity within the party ranks, stating that Barrister Gohar's statements represent the official stance of the PTI.

Meanwhile, in response to the PML-N decision to confer party tickets to former PTI members, the PTI spokesperson strongly condemned the move.

He characterised the gesture as a consequential step, symbolising a potential final blow to the diminishing politics of the PML-N.

Read: Imran never said he doesn’t trust CJP Isa: Gohar

Criticising the recruitment of turncoats who previously defected during the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government, the spokesperson implied complicity in orchestrating a regime change against the duly elected PTI government.

The spokesperson predicted that individuals who were conspiring against the country's most popular leader would likely face public humiliation and electoral rejection on Feb 8.

Following the end of the PDM's term in power, former PTI leader Raja Riaz aligned himself with the PML-N – the very party against whose government he served as the opposition leader in the National Assembly until Aug 2023.

This alignment transpired during his meeting with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and party President Shehbaz Sharif in London in September, the previous year.

Riaz assumed the role of opposition leader in the National Assembly in May 2022, following the ouster of the PTI government. As one of the PTI dissidents, he was expelled by the party in Aug 2023.

Riaz's affiliation with the PML-N did not come as a surprise, as he had already expressed his desire to contest the next elections on a PML-N ticket after leading the PTI exodus the previous year.