PTI to stay put in Parliament, says Gohar

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Thursday declared that the word “compromise” does not exist in the party’s dictionary, emphasizing that its lawmakers have rejected lucrative offers, including crores of rupees, to abandon their principles.

Speaking to the media, Gohar revealed that each PTI member faces up to 50 cases, yet they continue to endure hardships for the cause. “On the one hand, there are offers of standing committee chairmanships, ministries and case withdrawals, while on the other hand, our members face relentless legal battles and even homelessness to avoid arrest,” he claimed.

Despite the challenges, Gohar expressed pride in the party’s resilience, stating that most workers still live in rented accommodations. “We were, are, and will remain with PTI’s founder,” he asserted.

Regarding the upcoming by-elections, the PTI chairman said the party would first consult Imran Khan before making any decisions but affirmed their commitment to remain in parliament.

The statement comes a day after Aleema Khan, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, conveyed his message that the party should boycott by-elections for seats “snatched through illegal disqualifications”. PTI leaders have rejected the Election Commission of Pakistan’s disqualification notifications, arguing that lower court convictions do not constitute final judgements.

Gohar also defended PTI’s August 5 protest, calling it a nationwide success. “People across every district came out in solidarity with our party and its imprisoned leader,” he said, adding that lawmakers remain active in their constituencies, including Buner, Swabi and Malakand.

Meanwhile, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja warned that absentees from the protest without valid reasons would face internal accountability.