ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan warned on Monday that the increasing unease about the country’s political instability could signal efforts by external forces to provoke internal conflict, potentially destabilising Pakistan’s democracy.
Speaking on a point of order in the National Assembly, he expressed alarm over last Friday’s press conference by Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, describing it as deeply concerning.
He urged parliament to step in and prevent further escalation, highlighting concerns about recent inflammatory statements made by some government ministers and their allies such as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).
Gohar also turned his attention to the 2024 general elections, remarking on the dramatic decline in PTI’s seat count – from an anticipated 180 to just 91 – attributing the results to what he called “political engineering.”
He emphasised that PTI’s setbacks following the disputed February 2024 general elections, including the loss of its “home seat,” were a direct consequence of these efforts. “We were forced from 180 seats to just 91,” he said, adding that while their party founder had always viewed the military as a key national institution, the current establishment was obstructing efforts to restore democratic normalcy.
Despite PTI’s setbacks, Gohar was unequivocal about their party founder’s continued leadership of the party. He stressed that he remains a central figure in Pakistani politics and cannot be sidelined, no matter the challenges faced by the party.
In response to ongoing discussions about the imposition of Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gohar dismissed the notion, asserting that the move would only serve to destabilise the province further. “The 250 million people of Pakistan are watching the parliament, hoping for positive change,” he said.
Gohar’s remarks also touched upon the lingering political fallout from PTI’s May 9 protests, warning that the country could not remain mired in past conflicts for much longer.
He concluded with a strong call for dialogue: “It’s time for this cycle of accusations to end. Politics must be open to meaningful dialogue and resolution.”
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025