RAWALPINDI: Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, a former chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has voiced concerns about the possibility that the Imran-led party may engage in horse-trading in the run-up to the general elections on February 8 if there is no symbol.
Days before the general elections, the PTI lost its legal struggle last Saturday when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), taking away the party’s “bat” symbol.
The party, which gained prominence in 2018, accused election officials of robbing it of hundreds of reserved seats by taking away its electoral emblem, or “bat,” when it lost its sign.
However, the politician expressed hope to reporters in Rawalpindi on Monday that even PTI-backed candidates would adhere to party directives when casting ballots after the next assembly are formed.
Also read: Kashmir Advisory Committee holds second consultative meeting under leadership of Mushaal Hussein Mullick
Gohar, however, made it clear that his party would plan its approach in accordance with the ruling of the highest court.
“PTI leaders, workers, and candidates should not to get disappointed and stay peaceful besides expediting efforts to protect their votes,” the former chairman of the PTI stated.
The politician also declared that within the next three days, the list of party-backed candidates and their symbols would be made public on the official website and other social media accounts to aid voters. This was announced prior to the party’s intra-party poll being declared void. The politician was elected as the PTI chairman.
