Islamabad protest saga: Gohar claims over 5,000 PTI workers missing

ABBOTTABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan on Wednesday criticized the federal government for the use of force against peaceful protesters and claimed that over 5,000 party workers were still missing.

He was speaking to reporters during his visit to Abbottabad to offer condolences to the families of party workers who, according to the PTI leadership, lost their lives in D-Chowk mayhem.

Barrister Gohar said the PTI would file a writ petition to seek justice for the victims.

“Our legal team is providing full support to the affected families. We have also sent Rs2,000 to each jailed worker to assist them. The sacrifices of our workers will not go unnoticed and the KP government will provide compensation packages and jobs to their families,” he said.

Barrister Gohar reassured the grieving families that the PTI stood with them in solidarity. “I am here to personally condole with the families of our workers. Our entire party shares their pain and grief. No government should ever resort to violence against peaceful demonstrators,” he added.

He claimed that over 5,000 PTI workers were still missing following the recent Islamabad protest. “We have established district-level cells to collect data on missing workers. These cells are actively tracking cases to ensure accountability,” Barrister Gohar said, adding that jailed workers were being provided with basic necessities and financial assistance.

Regarding future plans, Barrister Gohar said, “Our struggle is for restoration of democracy and release of our party’s founder. The future course of action will be decided upon his directives. PTI is a party of all the four provinces, with unwavering support from people who have sacrificed their businesses and homes for the cause.”

He dismissed rumours about Bushra Bibi’s political ambitions, clarifying that she joined the protests as an ordinary party worker.

On relations with other political parties, Barrister Gohar said the PTI was open to dialogue based on the party founder’s guidance.

He denied allegations of misuse of government resources for the recent PTI protest. “The chief minister has not used any official resources for party activities,” he asserted.