Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gauhar Ali Khan has said that the party has offered talks to reduce political tension, but so far no practical progress has been made by the government. According to him, in the current situation, it is in the interest of the country to resolve political issues through talks.
Talking to journalists at the Peshawar High Court, he said that the attempt by Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai to contact the government was a serious attempt at political reconciliation, which should be taken positively. He stressed that differences can be resolved through talks instead of confrontation.
Barrister Gauhar, while rejecting the news circulating on social media regarding the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections, said that the party has not decided to boycott the elections. He said that a final decision in this regard will be taken soon in consultation with the party leadership.
He also dismissed reports of differences within the party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as unnecessary and said that no proposal to remove Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is under consideration. According to him, some members have reservations; however, they will be removed through consultation, and the party will remain united.
The PTI chairman said that the citizens protesting in Azad Kashmir have the right to highlight their problems; however, the protest should remain peaceful in any case so that democratic values are not harmed.
He also expressed concern over the facilities in the jail of PTI founder Imran Khan and demanded that permission for meetings with family members and party leaders be restored and that they be provided with proper medical facilities.
Criticising the federal government’s decision to impose taxes in the former tribal districts, Barrister Gauhar said that the people of these areas are already affected by natural disasters and economic difficulties, so they should be protected from additional financial burden.
Describing the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa budget as balanced, he said that the provincial government has prepared the budget keeping in mind the public needs despite limited financial resources. According to him, if the province gets the full financial share under the NFC award, development projects can be implemented in a better manner.
Barrister Gohar once again emphasised that for the political stability of Pakistan, all political forces must adopt the path of dialogue, because a lasting solution is possible only through democratic processes and constitutional mechanisms.
