Army chief-PTI meeting: ‘Gohar told to discuss political issues with politicians’

The inside story of the recent meeting between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir has emerged. According to security sources, the discussions mainly revolved around security and counter-terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The meeting, held in Peshawar, was supposed to be aimed at addressing pressing security issues of the region, but security sources expressed concerns that it was a politically tinged event.  According to insiders, Barrister Gohar tried to raise political issues during the discussions. However, he was advised to address political issues with the relevant political entities rather than in a security-focused forum. “The reaction was clear: political issues should be addressed with politicians,” a security source revealed.  Security officials also clarified that the meeting was presented out of context with certain political narratives. “It is regrettable that discussions about counterterrorism and law enforcement have taken on a political color,” said a source close to the matter. Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur confirmed the recent meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir. Talking to the media in Islamabad, CM Gandapur confirmed that he and Barrister Gohar had met the army chief, while the PTI chairman said they had presented their demands to General Munir, who reportedly responded positively.  Speaking to reporters after PTI founder Imran Khan’s visit to Adiala Jail, Barrister Gohar said PTI’s demands were presented to the army chief, who responded positively. “The founding chairman has welcomed this meeting and we hope the situation will improve,” he said, adding that if any negotiations have started, it is a welcome sign.  He further stated that all issues related to the stability of the country were discussed at their meeting and he hopes that the situation will improve now.   Gohar stressed that he was only giving information to the media as per the PTI founder’s instructions, adding that it was Imran Khan himself who informed the media about Gohar’s meeting with the army chief. After meeting Imran Khan, Gohar told reporters in Parliament that he was doing everything for the party founder and was therefore bound by his instructions.  Ali Amin Gandapur claimed that it was not a one-on-one interaction but also said that the details of the one-on-one meetings are not disclosed. “We met lawyer Gohar. [The army chief] also invited other political parties. One-on-one means details cannot be disclosed,” Gandapur said, admitting that there was another meeting attended by lawyer Gohar. However, he refused. to reveal what was discussed in this meeting.  When asked by Samaa TV whether he has any back door with those in power, Gandapur admitted that he also has official contacts and passes messages from the party and its founder. “When I say something, sometimes it gets heated,” he noted, noting that when there’s a debate, political people present their concerns.