Rawalpindi (The COW News Digital) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said that party founder Imran Khan was fully aware of the possibility of an emergency and Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, clarifying that the former prime minister did not describe the provincial government’s removal as a positive development.
Gohar said political tensions should not be allowed to escalate further, stressing that reducing confrontation was necessary for the country, the nation and democracy.
Commenting on Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s speech in Parliament, Gohar said he had previously advised the religious leader that certain remarks would have been better left unsaid.
He also criticised the government representatives’ response to Fazlur Rehman, calling it inappropriate. Gohar said all political stakeholders needed to work towards easing tensions.
The PTI chairman said Barrister Salman Safdar’s meeting with Imran Khan was a welcome development, describing it as the first meeting since April 8 after a gap of around 380 days.
Gohar said the prolonged suspension of meetings had contributed significantly to the prevailing political tension.
He maintained that denying an incarcerated individual access to family members for 15 days amounted to a human rights violation. According to him, regular meetings could have improved the situation and prevented the circumstances that led to emergency measures or Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Gohar clarified that Imran Khan was informed about the possibility of emergency and Governor’s Rule in the province. However, he emphasised that the PTI founder had not said that the termination of the KP government was a welcome decision.
Barrister Gohar also rejected reports suggesting that his name had been finalised for a meeting with Imran Khan.
He said he had consistently tried to facilitate meetings involving political leaders and had made efforts to arrange a meeting for himself and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen chief Allama Nasir Abbas.
When political meetings could not be arranged, he said efforts were made to facilitate Barrister Salman Safdar’s meeting with the PTI founder, which eventually took place.
The PTI chairman reiterated that political dialogue and communication were important for reducing tensions and improving the country’s political environment.
Gohar also expressed concern over the reported disappearance of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and provincial assembly speaker, describing the situation as difficult to understand.
He said a hearing regarding their recovery had been scheduled at the Peshawar High Court, but the matter had been referred to a larger bench.
The PTI chairman expressed hope that the petition would be heard soon and that progress would be made in resolving the matter.
His remarks come amid continuing political developments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including concerns over the provincial government’s removal, possible emergency measures and the ongoing tensions between PTI and the federal government.
