Imran has full faith in judiciary, CJP: Gohar

ISLAMABAD: Leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Barrister Gohar Khan on Saturday made it clear that former prime minister Imran Khan has full faith in the judiciary and judges and he never expressed no-confidence in judges, including Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Gohar Khan categorically stated that former premier Imran Khan has complete faith and trust in the country’s judiciary and judges, including CJP Qazi Faez Isa. Gohar was flanked by PTI’s Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan, senior leaders Shoaib Shaheen, Sher Afzal Marwat and Intizar Hussain Panjutha. Gohar Khan clarified that there are no differences within the party leadership and a misperception was created on social media regarding Imran Khan’s stance on the judiciary. Gohar said that this is why he had a special meeting with Imran to clear the dust once and for all, adding that “Imran Khan has complete confidence in judges, including Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa.” Gohar Khan also said that he, as PTI chairman, would be the one delivering any statement by Imran Khan, which would be formally released by the PTI Central Media Department.

Talking about the Senate resolution seeking a delay in polls, the PTI chairman stated that the party strongly rejected the unconstitutional and undemocratic resolution which, he said, had no legal binding and value because it was based on senators’ personal opinions.

Gohar called upon the Supreme Court, especially Chief Justice Qazi Isa, to ensure enforcement of the SC order and remove all obstacles in the way of free, fair, and transparent general elections on February 8, 2024, and also expressed his optimism that elections would be held on February 8 and there was no question to further postpone them. The PTI also demanded quick dispensation of justice by the judiciary and removal of its concerns relating to the pending cases especially the matter of its election symbol, with Gohar Khan highlighting that over 100 million voters would be disenfranchised if the PTI were deprived of its election symbol of the ‘bat’.

The PTI leader urged the apex court to address his party’s reservations regarding a level playing field and also revealed that the PTI would formally announce the names of potential candidates for the upcoming general elections in the next two days. In a reply to a question, Gohar said the party hoped that the Supreme Court would not move contempt of court proceedings against Umair Niazi. He also said the PTI had issued a showcause notice to its senator.

An interesting situation was created during the press conference when asked about the statement of no-confidence in the chief justice. PTI leader Barrister Gohar Khan said “Sher Afzal Marwat had given a statement but I today clearly state that Imran Khan had never made such a statement in which he expressed his no-confidence in the chief justice of Pakistan. There is no confusion about this.”

When journalists continued to ask questions about Marwat’s statement, the PTI’s information secretary told journalists there would be no more questions on the matter and that if they did not stop he would call off the press conference. However, Gohar Khan gave the floor to Sher Afzal Marwat at his insistence. Marwat said that there was no division in the PTI: “Chairman PTI is my chairman and leader. Gohar Khan’s statement after my statement should be considered as a policy statement.”

The PTI also hit out at the PMLN for awarding tickets to the Raja Riaz-led dissident group as a reward for helping topple Imran’s government under the “regime change conspiracy”.

The PTI spokesperson criticized the PMLN leadership and said the PMLN’s grant of tickets to “conscience sellers” was an open admission of guilt of the characters involved in the “conspiracy” to remove the Imran Khan-led government, calling such actions a step towards the death of democracy. The spokesperson said that the PMLN’s popularity could be judged by the fact that it needed the crutches of PTI deserters and dissidents instead of fielding the party’s loyalists in the elections.

Meanwhile, on Saturday night PTI Information Secretary Raoof Hasan posted on X (former Twitter) that: Barrister Gohar would in [the] future be communicating Imran Khan’s messages for the party and people of Pakistan and that nobody else is authorised to speak on Imran’s behalf.

Raoof Hasan’s post said that “... Barrister Gohar met [Imran Khan] in jail today who apprised him of these facts which were then made public in today’s press conference. In [the] future, Chairman-for-life Imran Khan’s messages for the party and people of Pakistan will be solely communicated through Barrister Gohar. Nobody else is authorised to speak on behalf of Chairman-for-life Imran Khan and the party shall not own any such statement if and when made. Additionally, strict disciplinary action will be initiated against those who will act in breach of this directive.”