Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Gohar Ali Khan expressed disappointment on Tuesday over the government’s failure to form judicial commissions within the stipulated seven-day deadline, clarifying that his party was not in dialogue with any other entity.
Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Gohar stated, “It’s unfortunate that the talks could not progress. We engaged with the government with sincerity, demanding that judicial commissions be established within seven days.” He added that the negotiations could have advanced if this key demand had been met.
The PTI and the ruling coalition had engaged in discussions over the past month to reduce political tensions in the country. Despite three rounds of talks, the process stalled after the government failed to meet PTI’s demand for judicial commissions to investigate the violent May 9, 2023 protests and the November 26 crackdown on party protesters in Islamabad.
Highlighting PTI’s commitment to democracy and constitutional governance, Gohar emphasized that the party had spent 27 years striving for these principles. He also noted that PTI was in communication with other political parties to build consensus on the 26th Constitutional Amendment and an independent judiciary.
“We will exhaust all options, including protests, to push for the formation of the judicial commission,” he stated.
Addressing speculation regarding the role of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur following Junaid Akbar’s appointment as PTI’s KP president, Gohar dismissed the rumors. He clarified that the party’s founder had refuted claims of Gandapur’s sidelining, explaining that Gandapur himself had requested a reduced workload due to exhaustion. Gohar affirmed that the change in the provincial leadership was made on Gandapur’s recommendation and that baseless disinformation was being spread about him.
Reiterating PTI’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption, Gohar underscored the party’s ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and accountability.
Meanwhile, PTI Senator Hamid Khan, addressing the media outside the Supreme Court, announced a series of upcoming conventions in Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi.
“We will organize protests and conventions,” he said, emphasizing the party’s constitutional struggle. He urged lawyers to be mentally prepared for the scale of the efforts ahead.
Hamid expressed confidence that PTI and the public would ultimately prevail in this struggle for justice and democracy.
