PTI seeks postal ballot if Imran detained

Lauds PHC decision to reinstate 'Bat'; says ticket allocation process completing today

RAWALPINDI:

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan on Wednesday expressed the party’s intent to apply for a postal ballot provision should Imran Khan remain imprisoned during the elections.

"We're exploring the option of seeking permission for postal ballots if Imran Khan's release isn’t secured before the elections," he said while speaking to the media following his meeting with the former prime minister in Adiala Jail.

He shared that discussions with the PTI's founding chairman regarding the allocation of party tickets were underway, adding that the process would be completed on Thursday (today).

Candidates from constituencies across Pakistan would be actively involved in the electoral contest, he assured.

Barrister Gohar Khan hailed the Peshawar High Court's (PHC) decision to reinstate the bat symbol, declaring it a symbol of the party’s victory.

He criticised the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), alleging deliberate obstruction in returning the symbol to PTI, portraying it not just as a PTI symbol but as a representation of the people's rights in Pakistan.

He further alleged that the attempts to snatch the bat symbol threatened the integrity of upcoming elections, fostering an environment ripe for corruption.

Touching upon the intra-party polls that resulted in his chairmanship, Barrister Gohar noted that no other party has held such transparent polls.

He announced the release of finalised candidate lists and dismissed any insinuations of favouritism in the ticket allocation process, assuring that all information would be shared with the media.

"To ensure fair representation, committees have been established at various levels for ticket allocation," he said.

On the subject of the ongoing cypher case, he expressed optimism about the court providing relief and ensuring an open trial.