Chairman Clarifies Statement on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Islamabad (INP) – PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has issued a clarification regarding the statement attributed to the PTI founder about Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In a tweet, Barrister Gohar explained that the account from which the tweet was posted belongs to them, but Khan does not review every word of every tweet.
“Our comparison with 1971 was in a political context. The party had won the majority, but no session was called. Leaders were disqualified, seats were reduced in recounts, and then the majority turned into a minority. So, see what happened to the country in 1971 and what’s happening now; this is our narrative. We are not Awami League, and Khan is not Sheikh Mujib,” he wrote.
Previously, in an interview, he stated that Imran Khan had no connection to the tweet from his account, as the PTI founder is in jail and does not approve every video or content. We should view the 1971 video in a political, not military, context. Note that the PTI founder’s X account released a video. It captioned that every Pakistani should study the Hamoodur Rahman Commission report and understand who the real traitor was, General Yahya Khan or Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Context of the Controversy
Barrister Gohar’s clarification comes in the wake of a controversial video posted on the PTI founder‘s X (formerly Twitter) account. The video urged Pakistanis to delve into the Hamoodur Rahman Commission report to discern. The true traitor in the historical context of the 1971 debacle—whether it was General Yahya Khan or Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This post sparked significant debate and backlash, leading to the need for an official clarification from the PTI leadership.
Political vs. Military Context
In his interview, Barrister Gohar emphasized that we must interpret the 1971 video within a political framework rather than a military one. He highlighted the political turmoil of 1971. When authorities did not allow the majority party to form a government, they disqualified leaders and manipulated seats in recounts. This political manipulation eventually led to a shift from majority rule to minority disenfranchisement, drawing a parallel to the current political climate.
Addressing Misconceptions
Barrister Gohar also addressed the misconceptions surrounding Nawaz Sharif’s statements. He clarified that Nawaz Sharif incorrectly attributed his disqualification to former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar. The decision, Gohar pointed out, was actually made by Justice Khosa. This correction is crucial in understanding the political narrative and the role of judiciary decisions in shaping political careers.
PTI’s Political Struggle
Emphasizing PTI’s struggle for power, Barrister Gohar tells us that the party has been fighting for 27 years under Imran Khan’s leadership. He said that the public is and always has been PTI’s real “umpires,” hinting at its dependence on popular support rather than institutional endorsement.
Military and Judiciary
According to Gohar, the army should avoid politics, as it is against democratic values. He also talked about the judiciary being at a crossroads. Which means there must be fairness when dealing with cases involving politicians.
Future Dialogue
Furthermore, Barrister Gohar mentioned that Rana Sanaullah’s offer for dialogue is under consideration. This suggests a potential for political reconciliation and discussions aimed at resolving ongoing conflicts.
Barrister Gohar’s statements and clarifications aim to address the recent controversies surrounding PTI’s narrative and Imran Khan’s position. By providing context and correcting misconceptions, he seeks to steer the conversation back to PTI’s political message and the ongoing struggle for democratic integrity in Pakistan.
