By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Barrister Gohar Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI), said on Monday that if discussions have reached the level of five senior leaders, they should not be misinterpreted.
Speaking to the media at Dahgal checkpoint in Rawalpindi, Barrister Gohar said the five senior leaders neither have the capacity nor the necessity to hold meetings themselves. “If meetings are not granted, how can negotiations proceed? My remarks about seeking meetings were twisted and misrepresented,” he added.
He clarified that his point was about the refusal to grant meetings despite compliance with court orders, SOPs, and jail regulations. “If meetings are denied under such circumstances, it is tantamount to begging,” he said.
Barrister Gohar said that PTI representatives have been attending regularly every Tuesday, only to return without any audience. “It has been over a month since the founding leader of PTI has been able to meet anyone. Making meetings controversial will not advance the dialogue. We have tried to improve the situation,” he added.
He further noted that he had received a call from Imran Ismail, to whom he explained that PTI would not participate in a certain conference due to the party’s concerns.
The PTI chairman emphasised the importance of meetings with women and lawyers to normalise conditions and praised those working towards improving the situation. “There are SOPs and laws in place, yet permission for meetings is withheld. Denial of meetings, even in the face of court orders, is simply begging,” he concluded.
