• Set aside ego, give space for efforts to move in positive direction, advises Gohar
• Raja says Imran not security threat, has kept people united; warns against interference in KP govt
• Waqas says ISPR chief wasted ‘three hours’ instead of focusing on security issues

ISLAMABAD: The PTI on Saturday took exception to the “politically charged” press conference by the Pakistan Army spokesperson, calling it inappropriate and unfortunate, which would further fuel political instability.

Addressing a press conference at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, PTI interim chairman Gohar Ali Khan said it was “unfortunate for democracy” that a senior officer would use such language against a major political party, its leadership, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister.

He said ego must be set aside, space given to one another, and efforts made to move in a positive direction, adding there was still time for “tone to be eased” and for steps to improve the current situation.

He called for Tuesday’s meeting with Imran to be allowed without restriction and urged that no politics be made over the ex-premier’s meetings with his sisters. He maintained that the country deserved to prosper and grow, but if the current tense atmosphere and attitude continued, “then it won’t be minus-one, but minus-everyone, which should not happen”.

At the outset, Barrister Gohar welcomed everyone to what he said would be an “unusual” press briefing in response to the military spokesperson’s remarks against the PTI founder, saying it would have a “different tone”.

“We are not going to do a confrontational press conference or respond to a brick with a stone, but it is very important to tell some facts to the people as charges have been levelled at us.”

He claimed that the PTI was the country’s largest political party and its leader was Imran Khan, with the support of 70 per cent of the nation.

“It is necessary to tell the people what has happened to us in the recent past. From 180 seats, we were reduced to 91 seats, and now we are left with 76. Reserved seats were taken and there was violence against women and children. The injustices against us are a tale of their own.”

Barrister Gohar said the party had continued to endure in order to uphold democracy, adding that the PTI’s stance was rooted in democracy, peace and the rule of law, and that Imran Khan had always maintained that both Pakistan and its army belong to the people.

The PTI chairman said that despite going through a rough patch during the last year, it stood with the nation and the military and lauded their role. He added that despite everything that happened with the passage of the 26th and 27th amendments, the party had hoped the situation might improve, but the ISPR chief’s press conference was “deeply disappointing”.

‘Not a security threat’

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, meanwhile, said Imran Khan was not a national security threat, but he had kept the people united.

“Do not drive away the people of Pakistan; they stand with Imran Khan and the PTI,” he said, adding that there were many narratives in the country, including along ethnic and sectarian lines, yet Imran Khan had rejected all of them to stand with the narrative of Pakistan.

“For God’s sake, don’t do this. You will not be able to minus Imran Khan, but God forbid if you do, it will be very difficult to keep this country’s interests united. If you attack KP and remove its elected government to install an unelected setup, then you yourselves will be responsible for the conditions that follow,” he warned.

He termed the ISPR DG’s press conference “unfortunate” and added that the party will not answer the accusation and charges levelled against the PTI founder.

“Today we are being told that the country’s most popular leader is a national security threat, which is ridiculous, but this has not been said for the first time.”

Mr Raja elaborated that he wanted to set the context for everyone, noting that there have been countless times in the country’s history when it was pushed from democracy toward force and authoritarianism.

Referring to previous military dictatorships in the country, he said prosperity was always promised, and yet, they all ultimately failed.

The PTI leader said it was claimed multiple times during the past that democracy, law and the Constitution does not suit the country, and needs a stick, but the “ruler always left it weaker than before”. Mr Raja questioned whether the country needed to be forcibly developed through the use of power, noting that if this were the case, it would have already happened during previous periods of military rule. He said there was a need for a “grand dialogue”, given the country’s current situation, and that the nation needed to be involved lest the past repeat itself. “There will be no change, and we will go backwards.”

He said the PTI was ready to talk, but the people of KP and their chief minister should never be mocked or denigrated. “Don’t put the future of the country or KP at stake in this battle of narratives. This is a very sensitive area, take the people along in the conditions that are there at the moment and the state of terrorism. The PTI is the biggest force in the country that can take it towards betterment.”

‘Politically charged presser’

Meanwhile, PTI information secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said the ISPR chief wasted three hours in a politically charged press conference instead of focusing on the fast-deteriorating security situation and the simmering tensions along the borders.

Mr Akram stated that Imran Khan was being subjected to a political vendetta because the elements rejected by the public perceived him as a threat to their political future and their business of “loot and plunder”.

He warned that using politically charged language and exploiting the army’s spokesperson to target opponents would further pollute the political environment and undermine the institution.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2025