ISLAMABAD — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is weighing whether to boycott parliament or launch a nationwide protest movement following the recent mass convictions of its top leadership, reported by The Nation News. The decision will be finalized soon, said PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan during an emergency press conference on Tuesday.
“This is a tragic day for democracy,” Gohar said, flanked by senior PTI leaders Asad Qaiser, Junaid Akbar Khan, and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. “Our mandate has been hijacked, our leader remains behind bars, and justice continues to elude us.”
The remarks follow a Faisalabad anti-terrorism court sentencing 166 PTI members, including key lawmakers, to 10 years in prison each over the May 9, 2023, attacks on military sites. So far, six National Assembly members, three provincial lawmakers, one senator, and opposition leaders from both parliamentary houses have been convicted.
Gohar emphasized PTI’s longstanding commitment to democracy and the rule of law. “We’ve respected the parliamentary process. Yet, we’re being sidelined while our petitions from 2023 are still pending. Meanwhile, selective trials are rushed through — even at 2 a.m.”
Criticizing the Election Commission, Gohar called its actions illegal and politically biased. “The Commission’s term has expired, yet it continues to disqualify our elected representatives.”
The party, he added, is not seeking chaos. “We are being forced into this position. Whether we resign from the assemblies or take to the streets, the decision will come from our leader, Imran Khan.”
Gohar concluded with a renewed appeal to the judiciary: “We still believe justice can prevail. When the political system falters, the nation turns to the courts. We are waiting for justice.”
