No deal in pipeline for Imran's release: Gohar

Clears air over claims made by Aleema Khan, says govt made no such promise

LAHORE:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has dismissed claims made by Aleema Khan, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, regarding an alleged government offer to secure former premier's release within 20 days in exchange for ending the party's protests at Islamabad's D-Chowk on November 24.

Speaking to a private news channel on Monday, the PTI chairman refuted Aleema's assertion, stating, "The talk of releasing the PTI founder within 20 days is completely false. I neither mentioned such a promise nor was any assurance given by the government".

He clarified that no discussions were held with officials about securing Khan's release on or before November 24, rejecting any notion of his involvement in a deal.

Aleema Khan, during a media briefing in Lahore, had claimed that mounting pressure from the protests prompted the government to send Gohar to meet Imran Khan in jail with assurances of his release.

She alleged that government officials, fearing the growing number of demonstrators in Islamabad, asked Gohar to remain at Sangjani while they arranged Imran's release.

Gohar categorically denied these claims, asserting that his focus remained on addressing the party's challenges. "I always consult with the PTI core committee and leadership before making any statements. There was no such agreement or discussion with the government," he said.

The D-Chowk protest, billed as a "do-or-die" demonstration to demand Imran Khan's release, saw thousands of PTI supporters converge in Islamabad last month.

Led by Imran's wife, Bushra Bibi, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, the rally culminated in a law enforcing agencies' operation on the night of November 26-27 to clear the federal capital's Red Zone, effectively ending the sit-in.

Meanwhile, in a separate media interaction outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Gohar addressed the party's ongoing efforts to address the fallout from the November 24 protest, confirming that PTI had compiled a list of 200 individuals who went missing during the demonstrations and planned to present the report to Imran Khan.

"This list is ready, and we will submit it to the PTI founder. We will continue pursuing this issue on all available platforms," he said.

Gohar also reiterated PTI's commitment to modernising the country's madrassa system, affirming the party's adherence to its 2019 agreement with the government on madrassa registration.

"We stand by the agreement and emphasise the importance of integrating modern education into the madrassa curriculum," he said, calling for reforms in the sector.

He further addressed discrepancies in reports about the fatalities during the D-Chowk protests. "Initially, the figure was reported as eight deaths, then 12. While these numbers have varied, our priority is to focus on resolving the larger issue at hand," he explained.

Gohar also brushed aside remarks from Senator Faisal Vawda, who has been critical of party decisions.