RAWALPINDI: Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Wednesday re-vealed that former prime minister Imran Khan will contest elections from the constituencies of Mi-anwali, Lahore and Islamabad.
Addressing the media after visiting Imran in Adiala jail, the newly-elected party chairman added that Imran would sign the nomination papers tomorrow. “Today, I was not allowed to take even a plain piece of paper,” he claimed.
Gohar also alleged that nomination papers were being “snatched” from party candidates contesting in the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8.
Elaborating further, the party chairman claimed that nomination papers were taken away from former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s secretary inside Adiala jail and added: “The impression of fairness and transparency in the elections would be lost if nomination papers are snatched from peo-ple”.
“Elections have been announced and we want the elections to be held on time,” he maintained, urg-ing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure free and fair polls.
Referring to the level-playing field provided to political candidates, Barrister Gohar lamented that “Nawaz Sharif always plays with the umpire. This time our candidates are not even being allowed to enter the ground” and added that the PTI’s stance regarding elections being held on time has always been consistent.
“We are afraid that the situation will worsen if our people are stopped. We do not want the situation to deteriorate.”
Barrister Gohar further told the media that he is consulting the former PTI chairman regarding the dis-tribution of party tickets. “It could take more time.”
Meanwhile, Barrister Ali Zafar said Imran had asked him to convey some messages on his behalf to the public. “Sad news is pouring from every corner of the country,” Barrister Zafar said.
“Wherever our candidates are submitting their nomination papers, the papers are being confiscated,” he said and added that the party would move the courts to take notice of the matter.
He maintained that the confiscation of nomination papers does not indicate ‘free and fair elections.’
Stating that PTI stands with the Supreme Court for organising the polls, Barrister Zafar said: “Only elec-tions would bring stability in the country”.
He further added that democracy would be harmed if the party is not allotted the ‘bat’ as its symbol. He further urged the ECP to decide on the party’s symbol soon.
“The Islamabad High Court (IHC) verdict of the Toshakhana case would be coming soon,” he told the media. “I hope the courts would ensure justice”. –Agencies
