ISLAMABAD: Barrister Gohar Khan has emerged as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s candidate for the party’s chairmanship, confirmed PTI Senior Vice-President Sher Afzal Marwat late on Tuesday. This decision follows Imran Khan’s choice to step away from the top post due to legal obstacles as the party gears up for internal polls.
“Barrister Gohar will be PTI’s candidate for chairmanship. The PTI chairman [Imran] has endorsed Gohar as his candidate for the position,” Marwat conveyed during a conversation with a private news channel. Meanwhile, Imran remains in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, dealing with legal proceedings.
While several party leaders had hinted at Imran not contesting the intra-party elections, they had previously indicated that the final candidate would be revealed later.
This development signifies the conclusion of Imran’s tenure in the key position he held since the party’s inception over two decades ago.
The PTI’s Core Committee, on Monday, formally approved conducting intra-party polls within the 20-day timeframe mandated by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Failure to comply with the orders could result in the party losing its bat symbol.
Earlier,
In an unexpected development, Imran Khan, the imprisoned leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), decided not to participate in the forthcoming party chairman election.
The decision was communicated by Mr. Khan’s lawyer, Sher Afzal Khan Marwat, citing the imminent risk of disqualification in the Tosha Khana case as the primary reason for this strategic step.
Speaking outside Adiala Jail to the media, Marwat elucidated that recent legal developments, particularly the Election Commission’s directive, significantly influenced Khan’s choice.
The Election Commission of Pakistan had mandated the PTI to conduct intra-party elections within 20 days, raising concerns about adherence to the party’s constitution.
Marwat clarified, “Due to legal constraints, Chairman PTI Imran Khan will not be contesting for the PTI chairmanship this time.”
He underscored that Khan’s withdrawal wasn’t indicative of permanent disengagement but a strategic maneuver amidst ongoing legal complexities.
Despite the setbacks, Marwat reassured supporters that Imran Khan’s spirit remains as PTI’s chairman. “These are temporary challenges,” he remarked, “once this disqualification issue is resolved, Imran Khan will resume his role as PTI chairman.”
