Barrister Gohar Ali Khan’s candidature for party’s interim chairman.
He dispelled the impression of “minus-one formula” – a reference to PTI chief’s ouster from the election process.
The party announced that the all-important intra-party elections would be held on Dec 2 (Saturday).
ISLAMABAD ( Web News )
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday put rumours to rest by announcing Barrister Gohar Ali Khan’s candidature for party’s interim chairman slot in the intra-party elections.
The party announced that the all-important intra-party elections would be held on Dec 2 (Saturday).
Addressing a press conference outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) office in Islamabad, Barrister Ali Zafar said the party elections would be held on Dec 2. He said the party had reservations against the ECP decision but elections would be held on Saturday. The party would challenge the commission’s decision at a later stage, he added.
He said the PTI chairman had given his consent for Barrister Gohar Ali Khan’s nomination as interim chairman. He said the party did not want to take any risk and for the time being, he (PTI chief) would not take part in intra-party elections.
He dispelled the impression of “minus-one formula” – a reference to PTI chief’s ouster from the election process.
The PTI, he said, stood nowhere without its chief. He said only Toshakhana case had been decided so far. He said the sentence awarded to the PTI chief was illegal and unconstitutional.
He said the PTI had held intra-party elections in 2021 and 2022. Its legal team met the ECP representatives back then and presented documents regarding elections in 2021 and 2022. The ECP said the commission was satisfied that the party had held elections.
Barrister Gohar briefly spoke to media and said the PTI chief was, is and would be chairman of the party, implying that he (Gohar) was in the race as a stop-gap arrangement.
Zafar tried to explain that this decision was not indicative of a ‘minus one’ formula being enforced. The Election Commission of Pakistan mandated these intra-party elections to be held on December 2, as per Zafar.
Gohar expressed his commitment to managing the party until Imran’s return, underscoring the continuity of the party’s objectives and struggles.
Expressing gratitude to Imran Khan, Gohar humbly stated, “I am speechless. I don’t have words to thank Imran Khan for posing trust in me. I am only a nominee and successor. Imran Khan would be the chairman for his life. I will fulfill the responsibilities until Imran Khan returns to his position.”
Highlighting that Imran Khan himself nominated Gohar, Zafar outlined two options for the party: either challenge the Election Commission’s decision or proceed with conducting the election. The party, Zafar mentioned, chose to pursue both avenues.
In addressing crucial deliberations within the party, Zafar detailed three key questions:
- Whether Imran Khan was eligible for the party chairmanship.
- Even if eligible, whether there was a risk of the ECP invalidating an election with Khan as a candidate.
- If Khan opted out, who would step in as the candidate?
Barrister Ali Zafar asserted that while Imran Khan was eligible for the chairmanship, there existed a risk of the ECP nullifying such an election, which would be detrimental to the party.
Regarding the third question, the party collectively agreed that the prominent figures within the party already held permanent positions. Hence, a non-controversial leader was deemed the suitable choice.
Subsequently, Barrister Gohar’s name was announced as the chosen candidate by Zafar.
Zafar emphasized that the essence of PTI remained inseparable from Imran Khan, affirming his continued leadership within the party. He confirmed Khan’s decision not to partake in the upcoming elections.