PTI Leaders at Odds Over Imran Khan’s Succession, Speculations Rise Over Barrister Gohar Khan’s Emergence

Intra-party turmoil looms over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as conflicting statements emerge regarding the succession for the party chairman position, historically held by Imran Khan.

The confusion escalated as the party refuted claims made by Senior Vice-President Sher Afzal Marwat, who suggested that Khan would not contest for the party chairmanship. Marwat indicated that Imran Khan, facing legal complications, had opted to relinquish the coveted position and nominated Barrister Gohar Khan as his successor.

Sher Afzal Marwat, while appearing on a prime time show, disclosed Imran Khan’s decision to step away from the chairmanship amidst legal entanglements, asserting that Barrister Gohar Khan would stand for the PTI chairmanship in the imminent party polls. Marwat cited legal challenges faced by Khan, including imprisonment in a corruption reference and over 150 other cases.

The anticipated transition would mark the conclusion of Imran Khan’s influential two-decade tenure at the helm of PTI.

PTI’s Intra-Party Polls and the Stakes Involved

Earlier this week, PTI’s Core Committee greenlit the conduct of intra-party polls within the 20-day timeframe mandated by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Failure to comply with the directive could result in the forfeiture of the party’s bat symbol.

The spotlight now shines on Barrister Gohar Khan, a highly regarded legal luminary within Pakistan’s judicial landscape. Khan boasts a formidable legal background, having received his law degree from Wolverhampton University, UK, and an LLM from Washington School of Law, USA. His extensive portfolio includes numerous reported judgments spanning diverse subjects, along with appearances before significant judicial bodies.

Barrister Gohar Khan: A Legal Stalwart and PTI’s Prospective Leader

Notably, Barrister Gohar Khan, previously associated with PPP and having contested elections without success, joined PTI under Imran Khan’s leadership in July last year. He currently serves as the lead counsel for former Prime Minister Imran Khan, handling a multitude of legal cases pertaining to the party.

As the party braces for pivotal leadership transitions and a consequential shift in its trajectory, the impending intra-party polls and the emergence of Barrister Gohar Khan signify a critical juncture in PTI’s narrative, potentially reshaping its future course under a new leadership paradigm.