Imran Khan has assumed the role of Patron-in-Chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), while Barrister Gohar Ali Khan will continue to serve as the Chairman of the embattled party.
Speaking to journalists outside Adiala Jail on Tuesday, where Imran is incarcerated, Barrister Gohar said that responsibilities for organising nationwide protests have been reassigned from Ali Amin Gandapur to Omar Ayub and Salman Akram Raja.
“PTI founder Imran Khan has not specified a timeframe for the protest movement but will personally take a decision soon,” he added. “Our party is not currently in talks with anyone, but the PTI founder has kept the option of negotiations with the establishment open.”
Barrister Gohar further stated that during a recent meeting, Imran stated that all doors have been closed on him and there is no option left but to launch a protest movement.
“Instead of calling for a protest in Islamabad alone, demonstrations will now be held across the country, and Khan Sahib himself will lead the movement,” he said.
The PTI founder has instructed that all directions related to the protest movement be given to Omar Ayub. He also declared that, from now on, he will be the Patron-in-Chief of PTI and will continue to make all decisions as before.
Barrister Gohar sought to quash rumours about his removal from the chairmanship, calling them “baseless and spread by mischief-makers.” He warned that everyone knows the consequences if the party no longer has a chairman. Imran Khan has not expressed any lack of confidence in the party leadership and recognises the sacrifices made by members.
Barrister Gohar further said that he has always advocated resolving issues through dialogue and still believes this is the best approach. He claimed there was rigging in the Sialkot (Sambarial) election and that the PTI founder has always shown flexibility, even while being in jail for the past two years. He reiterated that PTI has supported the government in difficult times and will never try to harm Pakistan.
“We will protest peacefully — it’s our democratic right,” the PTI chairman said, adding that Imran Khan’s court cases are either not being scheduled or are not being heard, and that decisions are being delayed on reserved seats. “We want common sense to prevail,” he added.
