Barrister Gohar Khan has become Acting Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) since Imran Khan decided to abstain from the intra-party polls on December 2.
PTI’s senior leader Barrister Ali Zafar made the announcement while addressing the media here on Wednesday outside the Election Commission of Pakistan in Islamabad.
This revelation follows a controversy within the party regarding a statement by a senior leader, contradicted by the party, suggesting that Imran Khan would not contest the upcoming intra-party polls for the chairman’s position.
Barrister Zafar disclosed that Imran Khan had been convicted in the Toshakhana case. Despite the conviction, Zafar argued that a person could not be disqualified for failing to declare Toshakhana gifts. However, the party was concerned about potential “illegal or unconstitutional” actions by the ECP, such as preventing the party from using the bat symbol or canceling candidate nominations.
Zafar clarified that while Imran’s Toshakhana sentence had been suspended, a final decision had not been reached.
He quoted Imran Khan, who expressed the desire not to provide any excuse for the ECP to impede the party’s electoral participation. Imran stated, “The public is with us. We will win the elections when they happen.”
Regarding intra-party polls, Imran emphasized that they held no significance for him at the moment.
Imran’s preference was for the Toshakhana case to be promptly decided, after which he would consider contesting intra-party polls for the chairman position.
Zafar explained that the party leadership, in the presence of other lawyers, had discussed these matters with Imran. Imran had directed the party to proceed with intra-party polls, and the senior leadership had approved the decision. However, Imran decided not to contest until the Toshakhana case was resolved.
Concerning the selection of a temporary chairman, Zafar mentioned that the names of several prominent personalities were considered. However, those individuals had already assumed permanent roles within the party. To avoid placing someone in a temporary position who had acquired a permanent role, the party opted for someone non-controversial for this interim period. Hence, Gohar was announced as the nominee for chairman.
Gohar expressed gratitude, stating, “I am speechless. I do not have the words to thank Imran Khan sahib.” He affirmed that Imran Khan remained the leader and chairman of PTI, regardless of his current circumstances.
