Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has called for de-escalation and giving space to each other, saying the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director general’s press conference left him “disappointed”.
His remarks come hours after ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry lambasted PTI founder Imran Khan and the party in a fiery press conference for promoting “anti-army’s rhetoric”.
“I have always hoped for reduced tensions and improved relations. Today, ISPR’s press conference has left me disappointed,” he wrote in a post on X.
While he acknowledged that the country’s defence was important, Barrister Gohar said that “PTI’s narrative has never been, nor will ever be, anti-state.”
“It is regrettable when state institutions and political figures label each other as mentally ill or consider them threats.”
Pakistan and its armed forces “belong to all of us”, he said, adding the PTI had demonstrated its commitment to the country and would continue to do so.
Gohar emphasised that all sides must acknowledge one another, create space, and work to end the trust deficit. He cautioned that actions by certain non-stakeholders should not further strain PTI’s ties with state institutions.
He further noted, “The PTI founder and Bushra Bibi are in jail. If they are allowed meetings, we can move towards reconciliation. The country cannot bear further tension and unrest.”
This is a developing story and is being updated with further details.
