F.P. Report
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Barrister Gohar has made it clear that the party members will not take back its resignations, saying the decision comes directly from the party’s founder.
Speaking to the media, Gohar said: “The Speaker may have said he won’t accept our resignations, but our stance is final. We won’t backtrack because this is the direction given by the PTI founder.”
He explained that PTI once had 91 members in the assembly but now only 76 remain. “Two days ago, 25 MNAs submitted resignations, and now all members inside the country have resigned. Only those abroad are left.”
On national issues, Gohar urged the government to set up a National Action Plan for natural disasters like floods and earthquakes, similar to the one made against terrorism. “This is not the time for blame games. People are suffering badly,” he stressed.
“Policies should not be about Punjab or KP alone. A loss in any province is a loss for Pakistan as a whole. Flood damage in Ravi, Sialkot, Wazirabad, and Swat must be investigated,” he added.
Gohar further commented, “Every decision of the founder is acceptable to us. In politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies – rivals today can be allies tomorrow.”
On the opposition leader’s slot, he stated, “For now, Omar Ayub remains the opposition leader under court orders. The founder has nominated Mahmood Khan Achakzai, who will take over if the court stay is lifted.”
Regarding court cases, Gohar noted that PTI lawmakers have filed appeals. “Even if there are objections, legal precedents allow appeals if sentences were given in absence.
“The disqualifications of our MNAs are based on weak grounds.”
He also underlined that the cases against the PTI founder are “political, not legal” and need political solutions.
Despite claiming their mandate was stolen, Gohar said PTI tried hard for talks. “We formed a committee and authorized Achakzai to reach out to political leaders.
The founder himself has said he is ready to talk for the sake of the nation, democracy, and an independent judiciary.”
He added, “We don’t plan to sit with the government, but in politics, nothing is set in stone. Today, we boycotted the assembly and held a people’s assembly outside, where 13 members spoke.”
