PTI claims that attempts are underway to pit biggest party against bigger institution

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Saturday expressed strong disappointment over comments made by the Pakistan Army spokesman a day earlier, calling the language “inappropriate” and harmful to democratic norms.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Gohar said a senior official of a major institution using such words – even indirectly – for a major political party, its leadership or Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s chief minister was unfortunate for democracy. He said the statements made in the press briefing were “very disappointing” and the language used was “not appropriate.”

Gohar stressed that the PTI had no intention of escalating tensions. “This press conference is not for confrontation. But we want to make it clear that some people seem to be trying to create conflict between the workers of a major political party and the staff of a major state institution. This must not happen.”

Read: Military calls Imran’s story ‘threat to national security’

Throughout the press conference, PTI leaders said they were not seeking confrontation or political instability. Gohar said: “Some people want fights. We don’t. We want dialogue, humility and space.”

Despite what he described as serious allegations, Gohar said the party would not retaliate with aggression. “We will not respond to a brick with a stone, but we have to tell the public what has happened to us.”

He said PTI believed that “every destruction begins with uttering a few inappropriate words” and called for humility and space for dialogue. He added that meetings with Imran Khan were not allowed and cases relating to him were not heard. “Our narrative has moved from ‘free Imran Khan’ to ‘allow us to meet him’.”

Explaining political grievances, he said: “With 180 seats, we were forced to sit on 91. Our own seat was taken away. The founding chairman always said that the country is ours and the army is ours. In times of war, we always stood with the army. After all this, we still believed that things would get better.”

‘Country pushed into coercion’

PTI leader Salman Akram Raja said Pakistan had repeatedly witnessed “dark moments” when the state resorted to coercive measures. “We were told that this country needs the cane to make progress, but we know what happened – in Karachi, bodies were found in bags.”

He said the region was marked by conflict and militarization but lacked prosperity, while Pakistan had persistently faced narratives that democracy was unfit. “Every time authoritarianism came, it left Pakistan weaker. Where does Pakistan stand today?”

Raja said the global order was changing and countries were “forced to choose between powerful states – one side China and the other the US”, although Pakistan had not benefited from such pressure. “Has Pakistan advanced through coercion? The elite only got richer.”

He criticized what he described as efforts to undermine the judiciary and the legal community, pointing to cases against PTI lawyers. “How can an officer be a substitute for an independent judiciary?” he asked, noting that despite having a constitution, Pakistan had been left behind.

Also read: Tarar rules out talks with PTI, no dialogue unless they apologize

Raja said the Supreme Court awarded PTI reserved seats, but “it was then converted into a district court.” He questioned whether this was the purpose for which Pakistan was created. “Quaid-e-Azam always told the military leadership not to engage in politics.”

He said PTI’s demand had shifted from seeking Imran Khan’s release to simply requesting permission for a rally. “If this continues, democracy will be destroyed.”

‘KP feels insulted’

Former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser rejected any portrayal of Khan as a security threat. “If anyone says that Imran Khan’s name will be deleted or he is a security risk, I condemn it,” he said.

He said the military spokesman’s remarks had caused deep anger in the KP. “We will demand that these words be withdrawn. The whole province feels offended.”

Qaiser said he had taught many students who are now serving in the armed forces and other institutions, stressing that the PTI wanted to see a strong military. “Soldiers and police officers are martyred daily. We do not want chaos. Our demand is democracy.”

He said PTI leaders continue to face imprisonment. “Sixty-four thousand FIRs registered and thirty-four thousand arrests,” he claimed, adding that the party’s seats had been “given to another party.” Criticizing restrictions on meetings of PTI leaders, he said: “Those who say meetings will not be allowed – who are you? The people have rejected you.”

Read: Government extends dialogue offer to PTI

Qaiser demanded the immediate release of Imran Khan and other detained leaders and criticized constitutional amendments that he said had “paralyzed the courts.” He confirmed that the opposition alliance had agreed to call a national conference.

Raja said Pakistan could not make progress unless the voice of the people resonated in Parliament. “We are not here to respond to yesterday’s press conference. We will not respond in kind,” he said.

Qaiser added that the PTI remained the country’s biggest political force and vital to national progress. “Without us, no challenge can be overcome. Institutions and people must move forward together. We do not want unrest in the country.”