We Have Not Cut Ties, Contacts Remain Open; Why Are We Being Treated Like Terrorists?” Asks PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar
ISLAMABAD: Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said his party had never cut any ties and that “backchannels” are open, pointing out that the “treatment” and arrests of party ministers and workers were “very harsh.
In the current political atmosphere, Barrister Gohar said PTI is a mainstream political party with strong ground in the masses. We are peaceful, we have been peaceful and we will remain peaceful,” he said, “reciprocating with threats will not help, it will help the country to be fixed, not us.
The 4 Years without Long March / past protests”
Gohar noted that PTI had not been able to hold a single long march in the last four years, while other opposition parties have had 11 long marches over the previous three years, citing alleged double standards. He reaffirmed calls for transparency in the court proceedings and fair ruling for the PTI founder.
He pointed out that dialogue offers were previously limited and not taken up to any meaningful level, and that more than 1,500 party workers have already been arrested as well as several MPAs. Speaking on the issue Gohar condemned the arrest of provincial ministers in KP, asserting that they were not marching on Islamabad for war; Pakistan and the state are first, he added, as there would be Pakistani flags and slogans for our founder.
Rejection of Terrorist Labeling and Call for Rights
Gohar asked: “We are being told that if we move forward, we will be dealt with like terrorists. Why will we be treated like terrorists? Are we terrorists? We are being deliberately provoked!
He finished by emphasizing the party’s fight for rights will be through strictly democratic means, calling for swift implementation of court rulings and raising concern about the demolition of party members’ homes.