Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has called the recent sentencing of PTI leaders in the May 9 case a dark day for democracy. He accused the government of using political pressure to target party members and remove PTI from the democratic process.
While addressing the media, Gohar expressed deep concern over the court’s decision in Faisalabad, where several PTI leaders, including those from the Sunni Ittehad Council, were sentenced. He said these individuals have always respected democratic norms and acted within the law.
“Today is a sad day for democracy,” Gohar said. “Our leaders are being punished for political reasons, not legal ones.”
He emphasized that PTI has continuously tried to be part of the democratic system. According to him, the party has worked to strengthen parliamentary institutions and promote lawful political engagement.
“Despite our efforts to work within the system, our leaders are being jailed without proper cause,” Gohar added. He urged the judiciary to deliver justice and said that PTI had raised the matter with the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
He clarified that PTI does not support violence or unrest and has always preferred dialogue to resolve political issues. He referred to the PTI founder’s multiple calls for reconciliation, even after what the party claims was the stealing of its election mandate.
Gohar warned that continued injustice could lead to public disillusionment with the legal system. “If things continue like this, the entire system is at risk of collapse,” he said. “There are forces working to break the system from the inside.”
He confirmed that PTI will challenge the verdicts in higher courts and called on the judiciary to uphold the rule of law. He also said the party will soon review whether it should remain in the political system at all. A new political strategy will be announced in the coming days.
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