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PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan. PHOTO: EXPRESS
RAWALPINDI:
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said that any formal announcement on any protest movement against the government or talks with it will be made by the opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate – Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.
“Achakzai, along with Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, has been given the mandate to decide on protest and negotiation strategies,” Gohar said on Tuesday while talking to the media outside Adiala Jail, where PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are detained.
“The party has urged both leaders to use all available political options,” he added.
Achakzai and Abbas, elected to key positions with the support of the PTI after the disqualification of their predecessors, respectively lead the PkMAP and MWM parties.
Gohar rejected the impression that the internal problems were caused by the PTI founder’s sisters, stating that the party had never blamed them for any difficulties.
He said the sisters had already clarified that they would not name anyone after meeting their jailed brother and urged authorities to allow a meeting. “You should at least try this once and arrange a meeting,” he commented.
Gohar expressed frustration and said that PTI leaders had repeatedly visited the jail but returned without meeting Imran Khan.
“On a day when prisoners around the world are allowed to reunite with their loved ones, denying a reunion is a criminal act,” he said, warning that blocking access and closing the doors would not improve the situation but could lead to further deterioration.
He also referred to the broader security environment and said Pakistan must address threats emanating from Afghanistan to curb terrorism.
“Wherever there are threats to Pakistan, the country has the right to eliminate them,” he said, adding that the armed forces act responsibly in such matters.
Meanwhile, PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja also claimed that Achakzai and Abbas have been cleared for both resistance and negotiations.
“All steps will be carefully thought out and the party will act wisely and strategically,” he said, assuring his supporters that all decisions will be made in accordance with national interests.
Raja reiterated that the health and release of Imran Khan remained the party’s top priority, while emphasizing the importance of the stability and integrity of Pakistan. He condemned the aggression of Israel and the United States against Iran and said the PTI was opposed to such actions.
Earlier in the day, none of the PTI leaders or their family members were allowed to meet Imran Khan or his wife Bushra Bibi despite it being a designated day for the meeting.
However, according to prison sources, a meeting took place between Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi inside the prison conference room, where health and other issues were discussed.
Frustrated by the denial of access, Imran Khan’s sisters Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi staged a protest on Adiala Road.
Party workers also gathered at the venue, where arrangements were made for the iftar. After recording their protest and breaking their fast, family members and supporters dispersed peacefully.
