Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said on Monday that the party founder was extremely pleased with the Swabi rally, as a large number of people had participated in the event.
Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Gohar quoted the PTI founder as saying that for the first time since the February 8 general elections, such a massive public gathering had taken place.
“We will never forget our mandate. The Swabi rally was the biggest in history. Votes and mandates are the foundation of democracy. We had only one point of contact, and after that, we have had no further communication,” he quoted Imran Khan as saying.
Referring to the recent round of negotiations between the government and PTI committees, which now face uncertainty, Gohar stressed that dialogue should not come to an end. “Had we moved forward gradually, a political solution could have been found. Ours is a political party, and we will continue our political struggle,” he said.
He said that the PTI would engage with opposition parties to keep the political process moving peacefully. “Maulana Fazlur Rehman is not yet part of the alliance, but we are trying to bring him on board,” he said.
Gohar also regretted that no commission had been formed to investigate the alleged electoral fraud of February 8. The PTI chairman said that while the party had filed a petition, no decision had been made yet. He pointed out that two members of the election commission, including the chief election commissioner, had completed their terms.
“Unfortunately, they are continuing their work under the 26th Amendment, and no decision has been made on appointing new members to the election commission. We will push for the appointment of impartial individuals. Even judges have written letters, and everyone is urging the Supreme Court to halt proceedings until a decision is reached,” he said.
Meanwhile, Barrister Gohar criticised the recent increase in lawmakers’ salaries, calling it unnecessary. “The economy has collapsed, yet discussions about increasing salaries were held in the last session,” he said.
He reiterated that the PTI had rejected the salary hike for legislators, emphasising that it was an unjustified move given the country’s economic situation. Speaking to the media alongside Leader of the Opposition and senior PTI leader Omar Ayub outside Parliament House, Gohar claimed that the government had failed to introduce a single meaningful reform in parliament.
He asserted that those who had “stolen the mandate” could not break the bond between the people and the PTI founder. He also criticised the government for failing to address key international issues, lamenting that no government representative had spoken in Parliament about Iran, Saudi Arabia. On the occasion, Omar Ayub reiterated the demand for the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9 and November 26.
