Lahore (The COW News Digital)Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan has alleged that “governor’s rule” is effectively being enforced in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, claiming that the provincial government and elected representatives are being denied meaningful control over the province.
Speaking to journalists in Lahore on Wednesday, Gohar said PTI lawmakers represent the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but, according to him, decisions are being made by authorities outside the provincial political structure.
“Governor’s rule is already in place in KP without formally imposing it,” Gohar said, alleging that the province had been brought under what he described as “complete control.” He argued that such a situation was damaging to democratic norms.
The PTI chairman was speaking in Lahore during a visit to express solidarity with the sisters of PTI founder Imran Khan. He described the reported arrests of Imran Khan’s family members as political victimisation and claimed that four members of the former prime minister’s family and eight PTI lawmakers had been arrested, while some ministers were missing.
Gohar also addressed PTI’s planned long march, saying the party wanted the demonstration to take place peacefully. He rejected what he described as government allegations that the march would target state institutions, arguing that such claims were part of a political narrative being promoted against the opposition.
He said political issues should be resolved through political dialogue and maintained that PTI leadership remained prepared to engage in talks. According to Gohar, leaders including Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas had also expressed willingness to participate in negotiations.
The PTI chairman claimed that the government’s offers for dialogue had so far remained largely verbal and had not translated into meaningful practical engagement. He said political parties should be given an opportunity to resolve disputes through negotiations rather than confrontation.
Gohar further argued that there was currently no clear indication that the government was seriously seeking a political solution to the country’s ongoing disputes. He maintained that political developments could change and that no statement or position should necessarily be considered final.
His comments come amid heightened political tensions between PTI and the federal government, particularly over the party’s political activities and proposed demonstrations. The two sides have continued to exchange allegations over arrests, restrictions and the handling of political protests.
The claim regarding the effective imposition of governor’s rule was presented by Gohar as a political allegation. His remarks do not, by themselves, establish that formal constitutional governor’s rule has been imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The political dispute is expected to remain a key issue as PTI continues preparations for its planned march and calls for negotiations. Government officials have their own positions on the security and political situation, while PTI continues to demand political engagement and greater space for its activities.
