Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has accused the government of subjecting the party and its members to what he described as political vendetta, amid a series of arrests and detentions ahead of PTI’s planned September 27 protest.
Speaking to the media in Lahore, Gohar said he had come to express solidarity with the sisters of PTI founder Imran Khan, who have been detained by authorities.
He described the arrests as what he called the “worst form” of political vendetta and raised concerns over the treatment of PTI leaders, lawmakers and family members.
Recent reports confirm that Imran Khan’s sisters Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi were detained under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance amid preparations for the PTI protest.
Gohar Raises Concerns Over PTI Detentions
Gohar claimed that four members of Imran Khan’s family had been arrested and that several PTI lawmakers had also been detained.
He further alleged that some ministers were missing and expressed concern over raids on the homes of PTI leaders and ministers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The PTI chairman has repeatedly called for the release of detained party members and urged authorities to change their approach as the September 27 protest approaches.
Dawn reported on September 23 that PTI was pursuing legal and political efforts for the release of detained leaders and activists, with court proceedings also taking place over allegations of raids and detentions.
Concerns Over Situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Gohar also criticised what he described as the effective exercise of administrative control over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa without formally imposing governor’s rule.
He alleged that although PTI lawmakers hold elected positions in the province, authorities outside the provincial government were exercising significant control.
“MPAs and MNAs in KP belong to us, but your authority prevails,” he said, according to Samaa TV.
Gohar warned that exercising administrative powers in the province without formally imposing governor’s rule could have serious consequences, describing the situation as dangerous for democratic institutions.
His remarks come amid separate reports of raids, detentions and legal disputes involving PTI members in KP and Punjab.
PTI Members Report Detentions and Raids
The political tensions have intensified ahead of the PTI’s planned September 27 march and protest in Islamabad.
Dawn reported that PTI had alleged that a number of lawmakers and supporters had been detained across the country. The party has maintained that it intends to hold a peaceful political protest and has called for dialogue and a change in the government’s approach.
The Islamabad High Court has also summoned the Islamabad SSP (Operations) over a petition concerning alleged harassment of PTI leaders and raids on their homes.
The petitioners argued that police raids were conducted without proper legal authorisation. The court ordered the SSP to appear before it on September 24 to address the allegations.
These proceedings concern allegations raised by PTI leaders and do not, by themselves, establish that all claims of unlawful conduct have been proven.
Arrests of Imran Khan’s Sisters
The detention of Imran Khan’s sisters has become one of the major points of contention between PTI and the authorities.
Aleema Khan was detained after an order issued under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, while Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi were subsequently detained for 30 days.
PTI has criticised the detentions and described them as political victimisation, while the detentions have occurred in the broader context of preparations for the party’s planned September 27 protest.
The legal challenges surrounding the detentions are also continuing.
Gohar Warns of Democratic Consequences
During his remarks, Gohar said the situation in KP could have wider implications if administrative authority continued to be exercised outside the formal constitutional framework.
His comments were made in the context of PTI’s broader criticism of the treatment of its elected representatives and supporters.
Gohar has previously said that PTI does not want confrontation and intends to pursue its political activities through constitutional and parliamentary channels. In an earlier September 11 address, he described the planned September 27 event as a peaceful march and said the party respected state institutions.
The PTI leadership has continued to call for political engagement while preparing for the planned protest.
Legal and Political Dispute Continues
The latest developments have created a wider political and legal dispute involving PTI, federal and provincial authorities, and law-enforcement agencies.
Alongside the arrests of party workers and family members, courts are considering petitions concerning alleged raids, detentions and the recovery of missing lawmakers.
Dawn reported that PTI was seeking the release of detained leaders while the Lahore High Court and Islamabad High Court were dealing with separate legal matters linked to the crackdown.
The situation remains fluid, with further court proceedings and political statements expected ahead of the September 27 protest.
For now, Barrister Gohar’s allegations represent the PTI’s position on the ongoing arrests and administrative actions. Claims made by political parties about the motives or legality of government actions remain subject to legal proceedings, official responses and independent verification.
Also read: Barrister Gohar Urges Politicians Not to Politicize Martyrs
