Imran picks Sher Afzal Marwat for PAC chairman

Gohar brushes off reports of PTI talks with establishment

RAWALPINDI:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced on Tuesday that his party has settled on Sher Afzal Marwat for the pivotal slot of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman, effectively quelling internal discord within the former ruling party.

Addressing journalists in Rawalpindi, the PTI chairman stated, “All disputes are over [now] as the party has picked the name of Marwat for the slot.” He said the move was crucial for resolving lingering disputes.

The decision was reached after an important meeting convened at Adiala Jail, attended by Bushra Bibi, Aleema Khan, Barrister Gohar, Marwat, and other party leaders. Final approval for Marwat's nomination was granted by Imran Khan himself.

Last week, PTI Secretary General and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub Khan, advocated for Marwat's appointment, citing his endorsement by the party’s founder. Previous contenders for the PAC chairmanship, Hamid Khan and Hamid Raza of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), had also garnered media attention.

Dismissing media reports alleging backchannel communications with the military establishment, Gohar asserted, “Neither we have backdoor contacts nor in talks with anyone.”

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Media reports had suggested the formation of a three-member committee by PTI, including K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Omar Ayub, and Shibli Faraz, to engage with the military establishment. However, Gohar refuted these claims.

Recent negotiations between the government and opposition in the lower house of parliament resulted in a power-sharing agreement, allocating chairmanships of 26 committees to the treasury and 11 to opposition benches, including the PAC's top position.

In response to a question, the PTI chairman acknowledged communication with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. “We will talk to everyone except the MQM-P, PPP and PML-N.”

He declared that PTI, along with its allies, will persist in protesting against these injustices.

Expressing concern, the PTI leader alleged that PTI lawmakers were being sidelined in parliamentary proceedings, alleging political victimisation by the incumbent government. He criticised the filing of cases against PTI leadership and workers despite peaceful protests.

“We take to the street for our rights but we are being barred,” he lamented.

Addressing another issue, Gohar stressed the importance of Imran Khan’s release, asserting efforts to secure the former prime minister's freedom before Eidul Fitr.

“The PTI founder will be released from Adiala Jail in May and will be among the people,” he asserted confidently.

Gohar lamented that the incarceration of the PTI founder by NAB was unfounded, alleging that the institution was specifically engineered to target him. "NAB's actions are directed against us. Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, and Asif Zardari enjoy immunity, with FIA and NAB cases against Shehbaz Sharif concluded. Nawaz Sharif received exoneration by having NAB cases terminated," he pointed out.