Barrister Gohar says peaceful protest PTI's democratic right
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan has said that peaceful protest is a democratic right and maintained that PTI workers are committed to peaceful demonstrations. Speaking to the media in Swat, Gohar said force should not be used against PTI workers who are exercising what he described as their right to peaceful protest.
His remarks come amid continuing political tensions between PTI and the government over the party’s protest campaign and its demands concerning its founder, Imran Khan. The PTI chairman also stressed the need for dialogue between the government and the opposition to resolve political differences.
Gohar criticises government over negotiations
Gohar said the government had not demonstrated sufficient seriousness during negotiations with PTI.
He argued that talks should continue even during difficult circumstances, saying negotiations also take place during wars. According to Gohar, PTI has not abandoned its political struggle or its planned long march.
He said the government should show seriousness if it genuinely wants to resolve differences through negotiations. The PTI chairman also called for a direct meeting with Imran Khan as part of efforts to address the party’s concerns.
PTI seeks meeting with Imran Khan
Gohar said that if the government was sincere about negotiations, it should arrange a meeting between PTI representatives and Imran Khan. The issue of meetings with the PTI founder has remained an important part of the party’s demands.
Gohar has previously linked progress in the political situation with resolving concerns surrounding meetings with Imran Khan and the implementation of court orders. The PTI chairman said dialogue could help reduce political tensions and create an opportunity to address the issues being raised by the opposition.
Gohar says PTI has zero tolerance for terrorism
Gohar also spoke about the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and said PTI’s policy towards terrorism was based on zero tolerance. He called for effective steps to restore law and order in the province and eliminate terrorist activity.
The PTI chairman said the security situation required practical measures rather than political arrangements that, in his view, would not solve the underlying problem. He maintained that terrorism could not be eliminated simply by imposing governor’s rule or declaring an emergency in the province.
PTI questions governor’s rule and emergency
Gohar said that imposing governor’s rule or an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would not provide a solution to terrorism. His remarks come amid discussions and warnings surrounding possible constitutional measures in the province.
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The government and opposition have previously differed over how to address security concerns in KP, while PTI has opposed the possibility of governor’s rule or an emergency being imposed there.
Gohar argued that the focus should instead be on effective security measures and improving law and order.
Court orders also raised by PTI chairman
Gohar further alleged that court orders were being ignored. He linked the issue to the broader political dispute and maintained that legal and constitutional matters should be addressed through the relevant institutions.
PTI has repeatedly raised concerns about the implementation of court orders and access to Imran Khan. The government, however, has its own position on the political and security situation, while negotiations between the two sides have continued amid disagreements over several issues.
PTI maintains its position on long march
The PTI chairman also said the party’s long march had not been halted. The party has maintained that its political activities and protests would remain peaceful.
Earlier statements from Gohar also stressed that PTI’s demonstrations would be peaceful, while the party continued to seek dialogue with the government. The issue has remained a major point of disagreement between PTI and the government, particularly as both sides have discussed negotiations alongside the planned protest movement.
Dialogue remains a key issue amid political tensions
Gohar’s latest comments again put negotiations at the centre of PTI’s political position. The party has said it is willing to engage in talks while continuing to pursue its political demands.
At the same time, government-PTI negotiations have faced disagreements over security-related matters and the future of the protest movement. Recent talks ended without a final agreement on all issues. The continuing differences show that dialogue remains an important but challenging route for both sides.
