PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has rejected claims made by party leader Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, insisting that the party made every possible effort to meet its incarcerated founder, Imran Khan.
Speaking to reporters in Peshawar on Monday, Gohar described Saif’s allegations as baseless and denied that PTI leaders had failed to take advantage of opportunities to meet the former prime minister.
Gohar said the party had repeatedly approached the courts and pursued negotiations to secure access to Imran Khan. However, despite these efforts, PTI leaders were not permitted to meet their founder.
He also clarified that access to Imran Khan had been one of the key conditions raised by the party during negotiations.
“All of Barrister Saif’s claims are false. I reject them,” Gohar said, responding to the statements made during Saif’s interview on Geo News programme Jirga.
During the interview, Saif had claimed that Allama Raja Nasir Abbas maintained direct contact with influential establishment figures. However, he clarified that these contacts were not intended to secure Imran Khan’s release.
Separately, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said the party’s position on the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment would depend on securing a meeting with Imran Khan. He also acknowledged difficulties in controlling the party’s social media activity.
PTI Denies Internal Divisions
PTI’s political committee also rejected reports of internal differences, declaring that the party remained united behind its founder, ideology and political mission.
In a statement following its meeting, the committee discussed the country’s political situation, rising inflation and security concerns. It demanded the immediate release of detained Khyber Pakhtunkhwa officials and other parliamentarians.
The party expressed concern over reports that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi had been transferred to hospital without informing their families. It called for implementation of the Supreme Court’s medical treatment order and regular updates about Imran’s health.
PTI also demanded family meetings for both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, along with appropriate medical facilities.
The committee condemned the arrests of Imran’s sisters, party leaders and workers, and demanded the release of those detained under the Maintenance of Public Order.
It further criticized raids on political leaders’ residences and called for an end to political retaliation, while urging effective measures to address rising terrorism and protect citizens.
