Gohar rejects governor's rule in KP, says chief minister's whereabouts unknown

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gohar said that nothing has been known about the whereabouts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister since governor's rule was imposed. He spoke to the media outside Parliament, according to Express News and Daily Pakistan.

Gohar said the party was being targeted for political victimisation in the name of governor's rule and the emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the party rejects both measures. He added that terrorism must end and that there is no difference of opinion on that point.

He condemned a 30-day extension in the detention of the sisters of the PTI founder. He said Aleema Khanum is non-political, yet her detention was extended. He also said twelve of the party's members of the National Assembly are being held, while the whereabouts of the party's chief minister are not known.

Gohar further alleged that party supporters are being arrested and raided, and that party flags are being taken down in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Asked about Sohail Afridi, Gohar said the PTI founder had given him the responsibility and that, in his view, he had performed very well.

24 News reported that Gohar rejected any move to impose governor's rule or a state of emergency in the province. It said he warned that using terrorism as a pretext for political victimisation would create political chaos and further destabilise the country, and that he called for political dialogue.

Separately, PTI leader Barrister Ali Zafar told Geo News in Parliament House that the constitution does not allow a chief minister and a speaker to be confined in this way or made missing. He said the constitution had already been violated and the government was committing further violations. He said the parliamentary party needs to play a role and take important decisions quickly, and that this does not mean the political committee and core committee have ended.