Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan called July 31 a “sad day for democracy” after multiple party leaders received lengthy jail terms in May 9 protest cases. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Gohar announced that PTI will challenge all verdicts in higher courts. “We will not let democracy derail,” he said. “We stayed within the system despite extreme pressure.”
Gohar criticized the recent anti-terrorism court rulings that sentenced opposition leaders from both the National Assembly and Senate. “Six MNAs, three MPAs, and one senator were convicted,” he said, including names like Zartaj Gul and Sahibzada Hamid Raza. He added, “We urged the Chief Justice to ensure justice, nothing more.” He warned that these verdicts could disrupt the democratic process if not overturned.
The PTI chairman said the party had made every effort to keep Parliament functioning. “Our mandate was stolen, our leader jailed, and even his wife was sentenced to pressure us,” Gohar said. “Yet, we remained peaceful, avoided protests, and upheld the Constitution.” He insisted PTI members who were punished do not believe in political violence.
He further said that decisions on whether to return to Parliament or boycott it would be made by party founder Imran Khan. “Three sentences in three days totaling 45 years—how can democracy survive this?” he asked. “There is still time to save the system,” he urged. PTI leaders maintain that they will pursue legal recourse without abandoning democratic norms.
Meanwhile, Sunni Ittehad Council leader Sahibzada Hamid Raza expressed satisfaction despite his sentence, saying, “I have no regrets. My conscience is clear.” Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid also spoke out, stating that his nephew, Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, was sentenced in a case in which he wasn’t even present. “He got two 10-year terms for something he didn’t do,” Rashid claimed in a video message.