With its founder Imran Khan in prison, the leadership role has become a conundrum for PTI, as it has taken a U-turn and once again nominated Barrister Gohar Ali Khan for the party’s top post.

Gohar was elected as PTI chairman after securing Mr Khan’s backing in the December 2023 intra-party elections, which led the party to being depri­ved of its ‘bat’ symbol by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Last week, the party decided to hold fresh polls on March 3 and named Barrister Ali Zafar as Mr Khan’s nominee for the post of chairman.

Party sources say Zafar has refused to accept the chairmanship. It couldn’t be confirmed through independent sou­rces if Zafar has voluntarily refused or has been stopped by the party from submitting nomination papers.

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