Army Chief
RAWALPINDI: In a notable shift, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar confirmed on Thursday that he, along with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, had held direct talks with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.
The revelation came during a conversation with journalists at the Adiala Jail courtroom, where Gohar admitted to a meeting he had previously denied.
Barrister Gohar explained that the rare interaction provided an opportunity for PTI to directly present its demands and concerns to the military leadership. “All matters and priorities of the party were discussed during our meeting with General Munir,” he stated, calling the negotiations a positive step toward resolving ongoing political challenges.
The PTI chairman added, “Both Ali Amin Gandapur and I conveyed our party’s stance and concerns directly to the COAS.” Gohar expressed hope that the dialogue could lead to constructive solutions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining open communication between political parties and state institutions.
Former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan also addressed the development, confirming that Barrister Gohar had met with General Munir in Peshawar.
Khan noted that PTI had long sought to bring the establishment to the negotiation table, underscoring the party’s commitment to peaceful conflict resolution.
Sources revealed that Gohar was transported via helicopter to Peshawar for the meeting, which reportedly occurred during COAS Munir’s visit to the city.
During his trip, the army chief met with top provincial leaders and reiterated the importance of a functioning state as the foundation for any political activity. “If there is a state, there is politics. God forbid, without a state, there is nothing,” General Munir reportedly said.
Gohar acknowledged the accuracy of Imran Khan’s remarks regarding the meeting and praised the COAS for his openness to dialogue.
The interaction is being viewed as a significant development amid heightened tensions between PTI and state institutions.
