PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan recently intervened to stop Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi from establishing a controversial Imran Khan Release Force. This intervention followed the chief minister’s public announcement regarding a dedicated unit to secure the release of the jailed former prime minister. Sources indicate that Gohar issued a blunt warning to the chief minister about the potential legal consequences of such a move. He argued that creating a political force requiring a formal oath might qualify as unconstitutional or unlawful activity.
Internal Resistance Halts Force Creation
The PTI chairman actively sought to build a consensus against the proposal by engaging opposition leaders like Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. Although the chief minister originally planned to administer oaths to members on February 22, he quietly shelved the event following these internal objections. Consequently, the party leadership now fears that a quasi-military organizational structure could expose the PTI to serious legal charges and accusations of promoting militancy. Gohar instead suggested that the party form lawful political committees at the district and provincial levels to handle mobilization efforts.
Strategic Tensions Emerge Within PTI Leadership
Reports suggest that underground leader Murad Saeed originally proposed the idea to the chief minister. Furthermore, the party’s political committee recently instructed members to avoid public comments on the matter to contain the controversy. This situation highlights a growing divide between leaders who favor aggressive mobilization and those who prefer a legally defensible strategy. While some activists push for a direct confrontation, the central leadership remains focused on avoiding constitutional complications that could further damage the party’s standing. For now, the chief minister reportedly intends to revisit the oath-taking ceremony after the month of Ramazan.
