- Barrister Gohar stresses stability requires rightful representation in assemblies, not operations
- Other leaders argue military operations would disproportionately impact K-P, Balochistan
ISLAMABAD: Reiterating opposition to Operation ‘Azm-e-Istehkam,’ PTI’s Barrister Gohar on Tuesday declared that the country could not sustain more military operations for stabilization.
“Any decision must be brought to the house. This country cannot afford any operation for stability as stability is linked with rightful representation in the assembly,” Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Gohar Khan stated while speaking to the media outside the Election Commission Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday.
تحریک انصاف کے اراکین کا پارلیمنٹ کے باہراحتجاج#MandateThieves#قومی_مطالبہ_خان_کی_رہائی pic.twitter.com/jlEcKEhowq
— PTI (@PTIofficial) June 25, 2024
On the occasion, the PTI lawmakers and leaders reiterated their opposition against the newly approved military operation.
Declaring the party’s firm stance against the operation, they argued that military operations would disproportionately impact Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan.
“Investment isn’t coming because there’s no rule of law,” they claimed, challenging the necessity of military action.
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan called for immediate justice and the release of former premier Imran Khan and other party members.
He condemned their re-arrests as human rights violations.
“When justice is delayed, it is also injustice,” he stated, demanding the PTI chief’s immediate release.
Gohar said that the party protested from Parliament all the way to the ECP during today’s budget session.
“This isn’t just a walk of 180 parliamentarians, but of 30 million voters,” Gohar maintained.
“Our protest will continue until all our members are freed,” he affirmed.
The lawmakers highlighted that PTI conducted three intra-party elections in the last 18 months, contrasting with other parties.
“We will not accept double standards in this country,” they said.
On June 23, PTI and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) declared their refusal to support any military operation, demanding that military leadership take Parliament into confidence first.
The development came a day after the Apex Committee of National Action Plan, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved “Operation Azm-e-Istehkam” to eliminate terrorism and extremism across the country.
The meeting, held in Islamabad on June 22, included key federal cabinet members such as the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Interior Minister, Finance Minister, Law Minister, and Information Minister.
