Gohar leaves door open for talks

PTI chairman stands firm on Sept 27 march; lawyers back movement

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Tuesday said the party had never closed the door to negotiations, but its political struggle would continue until progress was made on its basic demands.

Gohar met with National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Achakzai and discussed with him the prevailing political situation, the September 27 march, cooperation among opposition parties and the future political strategy.

Speaking outside Parliament, later, Gohar said the September 27 long march would take place and remain peaceful. He said that protests could not simply be ruled out when justice was not provided, concerns were not heard and demands were not addressed.

He stressed the situation could improve if judicial orders were implemented and issues concerning meetings with and medical treatment of PTI founder Imran Khan were resolved. He also expressed concern over the arrest of Imran's sisters.

In Lahore, meanwhile, PTI leader Hamid Khan and the office-bearers of the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) and the Lahore Bar Association (LBA) condemned the detention of Imran's sisters and the cases registered against lawyers.

"Currently, there is no rule of law in the country. Courts are losing their dignity," Hamid Khan told reporters. "The lawyers are ready to participate in the long march," he added, emphasising that peaceful protest was the right of every political party.

LHCBA President Babar Murtaza also condemned the "illegal detention" of the PTI founder's sisters. He said that peaceful protest was a fundamental right. Babar Murtaza demanded the immediate release of all political prisoners.

Former LHCBA president Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan said lawyers had to play their role for the supremacy of the Constitution. He criticised the alleged disregard of court decisions and said the government was damaging the country because of hostility towards one person.

LBA President Irfan Hayat Bajwa said arrests and violence would not resolve political disputes. He said the bar fully supported the September 27 long march. He added that the bar's general house would meet on Thursday to decide how lawyers would participate in the march. (WITH INPUTS FROM OUR LAHORE CORRESPONDENT)