Party president says Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly must participate in anti-terror efforts
PTI Chairman, Advocate Gohar. Photo: Archive
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Advocate Gohar Ali Khan described terrorism as a “cancer” and said his party unequivocally considers Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) a terrorist organization and it needs to be addressed under the National Action Plan (NAP).
Speaking to the media near Adiala Jail on Tuesday, he stressed that there should be no sympathy for terrorists and that counter-terrorism efforts should be carried out in consultation with elected representatives.
“Any group considered terrorist by the government and institutions is also terrorist in our opinion,” he said, adding that organizations acting against Pakistan’s interests fall under the ambit of terrorism. He also stressed the need to involve the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and maintain constitutional balance, warning against politicization of the issue.
Addressing the restrictions on meetings with the PTI founder, Barrister Gohar said it was unfortunate that no meetings had taken place despite the party’s repeated attempts. “Every week we come, wait and then return without meeting. I don’t know who has advised that preventing meetings is good practice,” he said, adding that participation would help normalize conditions.
He noted that no meeting had taken place between the PTI leadership and the founder since February 2025 and stressed that restricting access only strengthened public sympathy for the founder.
Furthermore, Gohar welcomed the opposition leader’s notification as a positive development. “The seat has remained vacant since August and all opposition parties have agreed on a single candidate, Mahmood Khan Achakzai. The process is complete and we expect the notification to be issued on Thursday,” he said, describing it as an important step in building trust.
Commenting on the parliamentary meetings of the PTI party, he clarified that neither the founder of the party nor Bushra Bibi’s family was discussed as the agenda focused solely on parliamentary matters, particularly the notification of the opposition leader.
Referring to PTI leader Sohail Afridi’s recent visit to Karachi, he said Afridi had initially thanked the Sindh government but alleged that the government’s attitude changed in the last day. He claimed that Afridi’s route was blocked while returning from Hyderabad despite prior permission for a public meeting.
He added that no property was damaged during the visit and that Afridi received a peaceful public welcome. He also clarified that Afridi was not nominated in any case from May 9 and that the forensic video evidence circulating did not clearly establish his location.
Announcing the PTI’s protest plans, Gohar said the party would hold a shutdown and strike to jam the wheels on February 8. “Our protest will be peaceful and civilized,” he said, adding that all stakeholders must participate in counter-terrorism efforts. He highlighted the importance of political dialogue to resolve problems. “If gatherings are not allowed and the PTI is not given space, what option do we have other than protesting?” asked.
On internal party matters, he said Salman Akram Raja had clarified his statement about him. He stated that controversial content is often spread on social media and mainstream media, but internal party issues should not be made public. “If the founder asks me to resign, I will do so immediately,” he said, pointing out that he held the PTI presidency as a commission from the party’s founder.
He reiterated that the symbol and authority of the party ultimately rests with the founder and that his fight is for the founder, the country and democracy. He also apologized if anyone in Karachi felt hurt by the PTI’s actions and stressed that dissenting voices must be tolerated.
Calling the media the “fourth pillar of the state”, lawyer Gohar said the PTI had always supported journalists. He clarified that the founder’s family only seeks justice for his brother and has never been involved in politics.
