ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declined to formally recognise Barrister Gohar Khan as the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
In its written reply to an application submitted by Barrister Gohar, the electoral body stated that he cannot currently be accepted as the party’s head.
The commission explained that his status as chairman holds no legal standing at this stage since PTI’s intra-party elections are still under consideration before the Lahore High Court.
The ECP further noted that it is unable to issue any final determination due to the stay order imposed on the intra-party polls. It added that the matter of senators joining PTI is also linked to the outcome of the same legal proceedings.
Confirming receipt of the commission’s response, Barrister Gohar said he plans to challenge the decision in court. He maintained that the Election Commission has neither accepted PTI’s intra-party elections nor issued the relevant certificate.
Referring to the post-Senate election situation, he remarked that individuals who were not previously affiliated with any political party later joined PTI.
It is worth recalling that on January 13, 2024, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court upheld the ECP’s December 22, 2023, decision that declared PTI’s intra-party elections invalid. As a result, PTI candidates were compelled to contest the February 8, 2024, general elections as independent candidates.
