ISLAMABAD (Daily Point) — Barrister Gohar Ali Khan was elected unopposed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) new chairman, replacing incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan on Saturday.
The PTI has named a new party chairman, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, following the nomination by Imran Khan for the top position. The announcement was made by PTI’s Chief Election Commissioner, Niazullah Niazi, who revealed that Barrister Gohar was elected unopposed during the intra-party election held on Saturday.
As per the results, Umar Ayub Khan was elected as PTI’s central general secretary, while Ali Amin Gandapur and Dr Yasmin Rashid were chosen as the party’s provincial presidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, respectively.
This development aligns with the directives of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), prompting the party to conduct intra-party polls. The central polling center was established in Peshawar’s Rano Garhi near the Motorway Toll Plaza, with more than 20 million registered voters participating in the polls through an online app and ballot paper at the election center in Peshawar.
According to Ali Zaman, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Presiding Officer, all candidates were expected to be elected unopposed unless objections were raised.
The significance of these elections is heightened due to the current political climate, marking the first instance where Imran Khan decided to temporarily transfer the chairmanship to one of his legal advisors, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, until Khan’s release from jail. The move comes after Imran Khan’s disqualification in the Toshakhana case.
PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur and former provincial minister Atif Khan were among the candidates for party KP chairmanship and Peshawar region president, respectively.
A party spokesperson emphasized PTI’s unwavering commitment to democracy, stating that the intra-party polls demonstrated the party’s dedication to democratic values and the rule of law. The spokesperson highlighted Imran Khan’s efforts to strengthen democratic norms within the party and reiterated that the decision to hold intra-party elections again was a testament to PTI’s respect for the law.
The nomination papers for the intra-party elections were submitted earlier in the week, with Barrister Gohar’s candidacy receiving support from senior party members. The election process was overseen by PTI CEC Niazi, emphasizing the party’s commitment to transparent and democratic practices.
