Party president says Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly must be taken into account in counter-terrorism efforts
Barrister Gohar, PTI Chairman. Photo: File
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has termed terrorism a “cancer”, saying his party unequivocally considers Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) a terrorist organization and must be tackled under the National Action Plan (NAP).
Speaking to the media near Adiala Prison on Tuesday, he stressed that there should be no sympathy for terrorists and counter-terrorism efforts should be done in consultation with elected officials.
“Any group considered terrorist by the government and institutions is also terrorist in our opinion,” he said, adding that organizations acting against the interests of Pakistan fall under terrorism. He also stressed the need to involve the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and maintain constitutional balance, warning against politicization of the issue.
Addressing the restrictions on meetings with the PTI founder, lawyer Gohar said it was unfortunate that no meeting took place despite repeated attempts by the party. “Every week we come, wait, then return without meeting. I don’t know who said preventing meetings was a good practice,” he said, adding that engagement would help normalize conditions.
He noted that no meeting between the PTI leadership and the founder had taken place since February 2025 and stressed that restricting access only strengthened public sympathy for the founder.
Moreover, Gohar hailed the opposition leader’s notification as a positive development. “The seat had remained vacant since August and all opposition parties had agreed on a single candidate, Mahmood Khan Achakzai. The process is complete and we hope the notification will be issued by Thursday,” he said, describing it as an important confidence-building step.
Commenting on the PTI party’s parliamentary meetings, he clarified that neither the party’s founder nor Bushra Bibi’s family were discussed, with the agenda only focused on parliamentary matters, including notice of the opposition leader.
Referring to PTI leader Sohail Afridi’s recent visit to Karachi, he said Afridi had initially thanked the Sindh government but alleged that the government’s attitude had changed on the last day. He claimed that Afridi’s route was blocked while he was returning from Hyderabad despite prior permission for a public gathering.
He added that no property was damaged during the visit and Afridi received a peaceful public welcome. He also clarified that Afridi was not named in any May 9 case and the forensic video evidence in circulation did not clearly establish his location.
Announcing PTI’s protest plans, Gohar said the party would observe a strike of locks and wheel locks on February 8. “Our protest will be peaceful and civilized,” he said, adding that all stakeholders must be involved in counter-terrorism efforts. He stressed the importance of political dialogue to resolve problems. “If meetings are not allowed and the PTI is not given space, what other option do we have but to protest? he asked.
On internal party issues, he said Salman Akram Raja had clarified his statement regarding him. He said controversial content often spreads on social media and mainstream media, but internal party issues should not be made public. “If the founder asks me to resign, I will resign immediately,” he said, pointing out that he held the PTI presidency as the trust of the party’s founder.
He reiterated that the symbol and authority of the party ultimately belongs to the founder and his struggle is for the founder, the country and democracy. He also apologized if anyone in Karachi felt hurt by the PTI’s actions and stressed that dissenting voices should be tolerated.
Calling the media the “fourth pillar of the state”, lawyer Gohar said the PTI had always supported journalists. He clarified that the founder’s family only seeks justice for their brother and has never engaged in politics.
