Those in power should show flexibility as political system has become ‘stagnant’ for party, says president
Lawyer Gohar Ali Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, said the political system has become “stagnant” for his party and warned that 2026 could also turn into a “year of punishments” unless those in power show flexibility and start dialogue.
Speaking to reporters at the Dahgal checkpoint near Adiala jail on Tuesday, Gohar said PTI leaders visited the site every Tuesday but returned after waiting for hours without being allowed to meet party leaders. “We come here every Tuesday and leave after hours of waiting despite the time allotted to us,” he said.
Gohar said the party was forced to “beg for meetings”, adding that the responsibility does not lie solely with political opponents. “By begging for meetings, not only others but also our own people are involved,” he said. “Whatever the intensity of the movement, negotiations have no alternative. »
He said the talks were not progressing in accordance with the demands of the situation. “I ask those in power to show a little compassion for this country,” he said, adding: “Find a way for the situation to improve.”
Gohar said PTI founder Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi and 16 party parliamentarians had already been convicted. “Despite a ceasefire with the enemy, our internal tensions do not cease,” he said. He wonders why previously permitted meetings are suddenly obstructed. “At the very least, permission should be granted for Bushra Bibi to assemble,” he said.
He added that the PTI had never stopped the negotiations and had not received any instructions from the party’s founder to stop the negotiations completely. “I have not received any indication that there will be no more negotiations from now on,” he said. “However, the founder has given instructions regarding a street movement. Protest is our constitutional right.”
Commenting on internal party issues, Gohar said Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s visit to Lahore was made on the instructions of the PTI founder and not as part of a party consultation. He said the authority to negotiate on behalf of the PTI rested with Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Nasir Abbas.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said there was no conducive environment for negotiations in Pakistan, accusing authorities of violating basic human rights by denying any meeting between the imprisoned PTI founder and his family. “The PTI founder and his sisters have the right to meet. No one can decide to keep him in solitary confinement,” Raja said. “This behavior is contrary to fundamental human rights. »
He said party leaders would continue to come to the site, even though they knew meeting permission would not be granted. “We know we will not be allowed to meet, but we will continue to come here and shake the conscience of the state,” he said.
Referring to the negotiations, Raja said he did not see a conducive atmosphere for talks at present. “I don’t see an environment conducive to negotiations,” he said. “Negotiations only take place when the basic principles are accepted.”
He criticized what he called superficial engagement. “What kind of negotiations are these: come on, leave, eat cookies, and something will come of it?” he said. Raja said the PTI and its leaders wanted a meaningful dialogue, not “empty” talks. “The people of Pakistan and the founder of PTI deserve a sincere and substantive discussion,” he said. “Talking about negotiations without substance makes no sense. »
He claimed that the Constitution had been weakened and stressed that democracy was the only way forward. “Accept that the constitution of this country has been attacked,” he said. “Democracy is the only way forward. »
Referring to the political system established after the February 8, 2024 elections, Raja said it would not last long, adding: “We have to move forward.” He further said that the PTI was not imposing harsh conditions on the negotiations but insisted on adherence to basic principles. “We are not here to sit and drink tea or eat biscuits,” he reiterated.
Noreen, sister of the PTI founder, sharply criticized the Punjab government, accusing it of trying to suppress public mobilization by blocking roads and targeting party workers.
Speaking to reporters in Rawalpindi, she said the Punjab administration feared people would take to the streets, prompting authorities in Lahore to close roads and markets. “The Punjab government was afraid that people would come out,” she said. “Roads were blocked in Lahore and workers, MPAs and MPs were beaten. »
Noreen also spoke about the security situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, alleging that the violence in the province was part of an effort to weaken the PTI-led provincial government. “Everyone knows who is behind the killings taking place in KP,” she said. “This is being done to weaken the KP government.”
She said the PTI protest movement was ongoing and would continue to grow. “Our movement has already started and you will see it expand,” she said. Referring to party leader Sohail Afridi, she said the entire party leadership stood with him and praised his handling of the situation during the protests.
Police disperse PTI sit-in near Adiala jail
Rawalpindi police dispersed a sit-in organized near Adiala jail by Imran Khan’s sisters and party workers. The protest was organized after the PTI founder’s sisters – Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Khan – were once again denied permission to meet him.
The police did not allow the three sisters, PTI leaders and workers to pass through the factory checkpoint near the prison. Following the restrictions, the sisters, led by Aleema Khan, staged a sit-in at the checkpoint.
A large number of PTI leaders and supporters later visited the spot to express solidarity with the sisters. Lawyer Gohar Ali Khan and Salman Akram Raja were among the senior party leaders who reached the checkpoint and joined the protest.
However, Aleema Khan expressed her displeasure over the absence of other senior leaders. “There’s not that much of a commitment that someone can’t dedicate even half an hour to come here,” she said. “Everyone should come to Adiala Prison.”
