RAWALPINDI: PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Tuesday strongly rejected reports that Imran Khan had expressed satisfaction over the end of his party’s government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, terming the assertion “completely false”.
Speaking to the media in Rawalpindi, Gohar said questions had emerged about Imran’s views on the party, its movement and the situation in KP following Barrister Salman Safdar’s meeting with the incarcerated PTI founder.
“One thing I must strongly refute — which some TV channel ran, claiming Khan Sahib said it was very good that his government ended in KP — that is completely false,” Gohar said.
“Khan sahib never used any such words,” he added.
Gohar said Safdar had informed him that Imran was aware of the emergency and governor’s rule imposed in KP, but maintained that little political discussion took place during the meeting.
He said Safdar had not returned from the meeting with any major political message from the PTI founder.
Safdar met Imran and his wife Bushra Bibi at Adiala jail on Monday following repeated requests for access. The lawyer said the meeting lasted around 40 minutes and covered their health, living conditions and pending legal matters.
Gohar links meeting restrictions to political tensions
Gohar welcomed Safdar’s meeting with Imran, saying restrictions on access to the former premier had contributed to heightened political tensions.
He said Safdar’s meeting was the first such interaction since April 8, after a prolonged period during which access to Imran remained restricted.
The PTI chairman maintained that the political situation could have improved had meetings been allowed, saying matters might not have reached the point of emergency and governor’s rule in KP.
Gohar said the party had made repeated attempts to arrange political meetings with Imran, including seeking access for himself and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. When political access could not be secured, efforts were made for Safdar to meet the former premier, he added.
‘No forward bloc in KP’
Addressing speculation about divisions within PTI following the suspension of its provincial government, Gohar said all PTI lawmakers in KP remained with Imran, and there was no forward bloc.
He said any decision would be taken by the PTI founder if such a situation arose.
Gohar also described the disappearance of KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and the provincial assembly speaker as “beyond comprehension”, saying the case concerning their recovery had been referred to a larger bench of the Peshawar High Court.
Turning to the broader political situation, Gohar called for a reduction in tensions, saying political forces needed to de-escalate matters for the sake of the country and democracy.
He reiterated the party’s demand for Imran to receive medical treatment and for his personal doctors to be given access to him.
Gohar also said there had been no discussion about shifting the PTI founder either to Bani Gala or to a prison in Islamabad. –Agencies
