PTI chairman calls for thorough investigation into the fatal shootings that occurred during the party’s recent protest
A surprise twist came from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan when he said that the party is open to negotiations with all the political forces of Pakistan. This is the first such step taken by PTI, which was suddenly called off in Islamabad, marking the end to a high-stakes protest that saw heavy unrest and tragic losses.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abbottabad on Wednesday, Barrister Gohar emphasized that PTI’s future actions will be guided by its founder, Imran Khan. His remarks follow the turbulent events of the Islamabad protest last month, during which lives were lost, and hundreds were detained.
Tragic Fallout of Islamabad Protests
The Islamabad protest, branded by PTI as a “do-or-die” effort, ended in tragedy. According to PTI, 12 of its workers lost their lives, and over 1,000 workers were arrested during the crackdown. However, the federal government denied the figures, claiming that four law enforcement personnel were martyred, including three Rangers and a policeman. The officials also denied that they had used live ammunition during the unrest.
Despite the federal government’s repeated calls for dialogue, PTI leader Imran Khan had earlier refused such offers, insisting he would talk to individuals only “truly in power.”
Busting Speculations and Rumors
Barrister Gohar also confronted various rumours circulating in the media. He negated allegations of Bushra Bibi, Imran Khan’s wife entering into politics and clarified her visit to the protest being like any other party worker. Gohar further rejected allegations of K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur using government resources during protests.
Demand for Accountability and Justice
During the speech Barrister Gohar strongly presented a case of accountability for the violence that erupted. He urged probe into the shooting incidents during the protest to unearth the facts of the killings.
“We are actively gathering data from across the country to file petitions for registering FIRs for workers who lost their lives. Justice must be served, and we will not allow these tragic deaths to be overlooked,” he said.
PTI leadership expresses concern for their members who remain detained; Gohar says 5,000 party workers still missing. “To identify the missing party workers, information cells have been arranged at district levels,” and PTI will provide them with adequate compensation and support if their relatives have died.
As a humane gesture, Barrister Gohar accompanied MNA Ali Asghar and MPA Iftikhar Ahmed in meeting the family of PTI worker Abdul Qadir who lost his life during the protests. The team presented their condolences and offered to provide financial help and employment to the grieving family.
Gohar said the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government is taking efforts to provide compensation for the families of the people who were killed, where there will be financial relief as well as employment. “Our struggle is for restoration of democracy and the release of Imran Khan. We will continue to support the families of our martyrs,” he added.
Course of Action by PTI
Despite all these, PTI is preparing for future action. Barrister Gohar revealed that the party has made a committee to work out strategies for the next round of protests and that would be according to the law. He further added that PTI would take care of the jailed members’ well-being, supplying them with their necessities and providing them with necessary assistance.
As the political climate remains tense, the willingness of Barrister Gohar to open a dialogue may pave the way for a new chapter in Pakistan’s politics. However, it would be interesting to see if this olive branch would lead to meaningful negotiations or just add another layer to the nation’s complex political narrative.
