ISLAMABAD: PTI Chairman Gohar Khan asserted on Wednesday that despite former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s incarceration at Adiala Jail, he would participate in the upcoming general elections by contesting from three constituencies.
Imran Khan was convicted by a trial court in Islamabad on August 5 in a case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for concealing details of state gifts, resulting in a three-year imprisonment. This conviction initially disqualified him from participating in general elections for a five-year period. However, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) later suspended the three-year sentence, although Imran remains detained due to other cases.
Recently, the Islamabad High Court reserved its judgment on Imran’s plea seeking suspension of his conviction related to the Toshakhana gifts case.
During a media interaction outside Adiala Jail, Gohar, accompanied by Barrister Ali Zafar, emphasized the PTI’s insistence on holding elections by February 8, advocating for a fair electoral playing field for all parties. Expressing concern, Gohar mentioned an incident where the PTI vice chairman’s nomination papers were allegedly taken by force from their secretary, branding such actions as undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
Assuring Imran Khan’s participation, Barrister Gohar pledged to provide Khan with his nomination papers the next day, affirming his resolve that “Khan sahib will contest these polls, God willing.” He disclosed that Imran Khan, a founding member of PTI, would contest from Lahore, Mianwali, and Islamabad.
Barrister Gohar revealed his intention to participate in the upcoming elections from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Buner.
Meanwhile, Barrister Zafar anticipated the IHC’s impending verdict on Imran’s appeal challenging his conviction in the Toshakhana case. He expressed hope that the court’s decision would favor PTI, especially with the election schedule already announced.
Stating that PTI workers in jail, who have made sacrifices for the party, would be prioritized in the allocation of tickets, Barrister Zafar confirmed that other candidates had been finalized and their names would soon be made public.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
