PTI not talking with government, will decide on AJK elections soon: Barrister Gohar

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has stated that the party is not currently engaged in talks with the government, with negotiations having progressed no further than an initial offer. Khan emphasized that the responsibility now lies with the authorities to respond to the PTI's proposal for dialogue.

“

It is now the responsibility of those who hold authority to respond to PTI’s offer.

Khan highlighted that Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai's gesture of offering talks to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was an act of magnanimity, not weakness. He asserted that any misinterpretation of this offer as a sign of vulnerability would be mistaken.

The party chairman also addressed upcoming elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), stating that a decision on participation would be made within the next two days. He explicitly denied any decision to boycott the polls, labeling social media notifications suggesting otherwise as "fake."

“

If anyone takes this offer as our weakness, they are mistaken.

Regarding internal party dynamics, Khan confirmed that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not being replaced. He mentioned that disgruntled Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) have been summoned for a meeting, indicating the party is closely monitoring the situation in the province and seeking reconciliation.

“

The PTI chairman said that the party would decide on the upcoming elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) within the next two days, adding that it had not made any decision to boycott the polls.

Khan expressed serious reservations about the conditions of incarcerated PTI founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan. He called for the immediate restoration of meeting access for Khan with his family and party leaders and demanded that he be provided medical facilities at a hospital of his family's choice. Khan also criticized the federal government's decision to impose taxes in the erstwhile Fata districts, urging a review due to the area's vulnerability to natural disasters.

“

No one in the assembly can replace Sohail Afridi.