PTI’s Gohar urges dialogue as party reports arrests and raids in KP

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has called for political dialogue to address the country’s ongoing political tensions, while criticising what he described as arrests and pressure against the party leadership and the family of PTI founder Imran Khan.

Gohar made the remarks during a visit to Lahore, where he expressed solidarity with Imran Khan’s arrested sisters. He claimed that four members of Imran Khan’s family and eight PTI lawmakers were currently in custody, while some provincial ministers were also reportedly missing.

The PTI chairman said political disputes should be resolved through political means and stressed that negotiations should remain an option. He said the party was aware of the stakeholders who could play a role in ending the political deadlock.

According to Gohar, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri and PTI leaders were willing to engage in talks.

He criticised the federal government for what he called a lack of seriousness towards PTI’s offers for negotiations. Gohar said there was currently no meaningful dialogue between the two sides and warned that attempts to weaken political opposition could have wider political consequences.

He also described the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as resembling “unannounced Governor’s Rule”, alleging that the federal government was interfering in the affairs of a province where PTI holds the provincial government.

Gohar rejected allegations that PTI planned to attack state institutions during its planned September 27 march towards Islamabad. He said the party intended to keep the protest peaceful.

PTI alleges raids on ministers’ homes

Meanwhile, PTI accused authorities of conducting raids at the residences of two KP provincial ministers and arresting a party-backed National Assembly member from South Waziristan.

The party claimed that police raided the residence of KP Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Minister Syed Fakhar Jehan. It also alleged that a heavy police contingent raided the home of Irrigation Minister Riaz Khan in Bannu.

PTI further claimed that the residence of MNA Muhammad Zubair Khan Wazir was surrounded for several hours and alleged that family members inside the house were held hostage. According to the party, police later raided the residence and arrested the lawmaker following an exchange of fire.

The party condemned the alleged incidents and demanded an investigation to establish what happened and determine responsibility. It also called for the protection of the affected families and urged authorities to avoid using force or intimidation against elected representatives.

The allegations could not be independently verified.

KP CM vows to continue peaceful protests

KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi separately reiterated that peaceful protest was a constitutional and legal right. He said PTI would continue exercising that right while it remained protected under the Constitution.

Afridi said the party would maintain a peaceful course despite the tensions surrounding its planned march. He also alleged that individuals in plain clothes had been targeting PTI workers, party officials and elected representatives across the province.

The chief minister claimed that Communications and Works Minister Shakil Ahmad Khan had recently survived an alleged abduction and assassination attempt. He also alleged that unidentified individuals had approached the residence of Irrigation Minister Riaz Khan and that similar incidents had been reported in Dera Ismail Khan and other districts.

Afridi further alleged that MNA Fazal Muhammad Khan had been abducted in Mardan and repeated claims about a raid on Fakhar Jehan’s residence.

He described the alleged targeting of elected representatives and provincial ministers as unacceptable and urged government officials, police officers and district administration officials not to be intimidated.

Afridi also criticised statements attributed to federal officials regarding KP and expressed concern over restrictions on movement to and from the province.