ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said that the arrest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa dysfunctional chief minister and provincial assembly speaker is contrary to democratic principles, questioning the removal of his party’s only provincial government.
On the appointment of the opposition leader, he said PTI founder Imran Khan had nominated Mahmood Khan Achakzai for the position.
Achakzai would continue to serve as opposition leader as long as he retained the confidence of the PTI founder, he added.
Speaking to the media here on Monday, Barrister Gohar said, “What was the need to take over our government? You had two governors, a chairman and a speaker, yet our government was dissolved.
Arresting the chief minister and the speaker is not democracy,” he said.
The PTI chairman expressed concern over what he described as attempts to create a rift between Pakistan and its largest institution.
He said certain elements had interests linked to this process and stressed that such developments should be avoided.
Reaffirming his party’s commitment to Pakistan, Barrister Gohar said PTI had repeatedly demonstrated its patriotism and support for the state.
He said the party wanted a strong country, a stable state and economic development, adding that PTI had always acknowledged the sacrifices of the armed forces and would not allow those sacrifices to go in vain.
Barrister Gohar further said Imran Khan had authorised Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Nasir Abbas to conduct talks, adding that the two leaders would lead the negotiations.
The PTI chairman also appealed to the chief justice of the Peshawar High Court to constitute a full court to hear his petition.
Expressing concern over what he described as a continuing wave of arrests, he said another PTI member of the National Assembly, whom he identified as a religious scholar, had been arrested.
“How long will this series continue?” he asked.
Responding to questions about differences within the party, Barrister Gohar said disagreements were normal in committee and political committee meetings.
He described PTI as a democratic party where members could openly discuss issues and express their views freely.
He added that party meetings often lasted four hours, allowing every member an opportunity to speak, but emphasised that internal party matters should remain within the organisation.