[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]PTI Chairman Gohar Khan announced on Wednesday that despite being detained at Adiala Jail, former Prime Minister Imran Khan intends to run in the upcoming general elections from three constituencies.
Imran was convicted by a trial court in Islamabad on August 5 in a case initiated by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which involved withholding details of state gifts, resulting in a three-year prison sentence.
The verdict led to his disqualification from contesting elections for a period of five years. Nevertheless, in the same month, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended Imran’s three-year sentence, although he remains incarcerated in other legal matters.
Earlier this month, the Islamabad High Court reserved its judgment on Imran’s petition seeking the suspension of his conviction in the Toshakhana gifts case.
In a media briefing outside Adiala Jail today, Gohar, accompanied by Barrister Ali Zafar, emphasized PTI’s insistence on holding elections by February 8 at any cost. He stressed the party’s consistent demand for a fair playing field for all political entities.
Expressing dismay, Gohar stated, “Today, we were deeply disturbed by what Shah [Mehmood Qureshi] sahib informed us,” alleging that the PTI vice chairman’s nomination papers had been forcibly taken by Qureshi’s secretary. “The act of snatching nomination papers from individuals in public would tarnish the integrity of these elections,” he remarked.
Barrister Gohar assured that Imran would receive his nomination papers tomorrow, affirming, “Khan sahib will indeed contest these elections, with the grace of God.”
“Khan sahib has instructed all party members to file their nomination papers,” the PTI chairman announced, adding that decisions regarding party tickets would still be made by Imran. He further disclosed that the PTI’s founding member would run for elections from Lahore, Mianwali, and Islamabad, while he himself planned to contest from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Buner.
Also Read: Imran Khan Challenges ECP Case Jail Trial
Barrister Zafar highlighted that the IHC was expected to deliver its verdict on Imran’s petition challenging his conviction in the Toshakhana case. “We anticipate the verdict soon because the election schedule has been released,” he said, expressing hope for a favorable outcome for the PTI.
He mentioned that all PTI workers had been instructed to file their nomination papers, asserting that those party members in jail, who had made sacrifices during this challenging period, would receive priority for ticket allotment. “Other candidates have also been finalized, and their names will be revealed shortly,” Barrister Zafar stated.
He criticized the prevention of party workers from filing nomination papers as undemocratic, emphasizing that such actions could undermine the fairness of the elections. “We urge the ECP to take action in response,” the lawyer concluded.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
