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ECP Questions Gohar’s Chairmanship, Scrutinizes PTI Intra-Party Polls
ECP raises crucial concerns over PTI's intra-party elections and Barrister Gohar's chairmanship. Legal experts argue over party structure and fund transparency. Case adjourned for further hearing.
ND
by News Desk
2025-04-22
ECP Questions Gohar’s Chairmanship, Scrutinizes PTI Intra-Party Polls

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) conducted a hearing today on the controversial intra-party elections of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), during which several significant questions were raised, particularly regarding the leadership of Barrister Gohar, who is currently holding the position of PTI chairman.

The hearing, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, brought attention to the issue of Barrister Gohar’s affiliation with the Sunni Ittehad Council, with Justice (retd) Ikramullah, a member from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, questioning how he could hold the position of chairman in PTI under these circumstances. Justice Ikramullah remarked, “Barrister Gohar has joined the Sunni Ittehad Council, in such a situation, how can he be the chairman of PTI?”

In defense, PTI’s lawyer, Aziz Bhandari, argued that the ECP did not have the authority to intervene in the internal matters of any political party. He cited a Lahore High Court order that specifically prohibited the Election Commission from issuing a final decision on this matter.

The Chief Election Commissioner, however, clarified that no final order would be issued at this stage, emphasizing that the matter was still under examination.

A significant part of the discussion focused on the administrative structure of PTI. The Director General of the Election Commission pointed out that the party had failed to hold elections within the legally mandated timeframe, as PTI was supposed to conduct its elections in 2021. The DG raised concerns about PTI’s inability to establish a formal administrative structure, questioning how the party could verify its financial accounts without one.

Petitioner Akbar S. Babar further emphasized the administrative crisis within PTI, accusing the party of illegally using funds and demanding that the party’s accounts be frozen immediately until a thorough investigation into the organizational structure and elections could be conducted.

During the hearing, Barrister Gohar defended the elections, claiming that all the relevant details of the intra-party elections were available on the PTI’s official website.

In response, Election Commission Member Sindh Nisar Durrani raised concerns that while PTI had held elections, they did not fulfill the necessary legal requirements, rendering the elections questionable.

PTI’s lawyer raised objections to the proceedings, pointing out that the ECP itself had previously ordered the elections to be held on November 23 but had later failed to recognize the elections. He also questioned the implications of intra-party elections not being held and whether it would lead to the dissolution of the party.

After the arguments were completed, the Election Commission adjourned the hearing, promising to further review the situation before issuing any conclusions.

 
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IntraPartyElections

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