- Voices dismay over SC decision, saying he was 100pc expecting ‘a different output’
- Describes Akbar S. Babar as a ‘planted individual’ who has nothing to do with party
ISLAMABAD: PTI leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan Friday expressed deep disappointment over Supreme Court’s ruling on party electoral symbol, saying called it a “big punishment”.
During an interview with a private channel, Barrister Gohar expressed surprise at the verdict and questioned the role of Justice Isa, whom he had previously respected.
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, who also lost the chairmanship of PTI as result of SC’s verdict, voiced his dismay over the decision, labeling it as a “big punishment” for the party.
Last week, the Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to declare PTI’s intra-party polls as “unconstitutional” and revoke the party’s iconic electoral symbol, the ‘bat’.
The three-member apex court bench, presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, upheld the ECP’s ruling. Consequently, PTI members will now have to contest the upcoming elections as independent candidates with different electoral symbols, and the party has lost the right to reserved seats for women and minorities.
Expressing concerns about potential increased horse-trading due to the Supreme Court judgment, Barrister Gohar highlighted the implications of the decision.
“This is not the Qazi Faez Isa I was expecting,” he responded, saying that he had always respected the CJP during the latter’s time at Balochistan High Court. “In this case, I was 100 per cent expecting a different output,” Barrister Gohar said.
When asked whether the reference filed against Justice Isa during the PTI government’s tenure had a role in recent judgments against the party, Gohar said the CJP should have set aside all the other things.
“You cannot give such a big punishment to a political party,” he said.
Meanwhile, PTI founder Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated, has delegated the task of awarding party tickets to Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz, indicating minimal involvement in the decision-making process.
Gohar Khan also alleged that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif played a significant role in the revocation of the PTI’s electoral symbol, claiming that “the umpire is with Nawaz”.
Moreover, the PTI leader addressed the controversy surrounding PTI founding member Akbar S. Babar, describing him as a “planted individual.” “When has he done anything for this party?” he questioned. “He is not our member, nor has he been in the past 13 years.”
Gohar also confirmed that no one had been in contact with Imran at Adiala Jail, saying that the PTI founder was in “no mood” to meet anyone.
The PTI leader also appreciated President Arif Alvi, who he confirmed was “still with” the PTI. He requested Alvi to fulfill his role as the head of state and ensure that elections were held in a free, fair and transparent manner.
