ECP refuses to recognise Barrister Gohar as PTI Chairman

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has refused to recognize Barrister Gohar as the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and also rejected his request to include independent senators in the party.

Barrister Gohar had submitted a letter requesting the inclusion of independent senators into PTI and sought official recognition for the move. However, the ECP, in its response, clarified his legal position, stating that he does not possess the authority to admit independent senators into the party, nor can the Election Commission recognize him as PTI’s chairman.

The commission further noted that Barrister Gohar’s demand came while PTI’s intra-party election case is still pending before the courts. The party itself has secured a stay order from the Lahore High Court, which prevents any individual from being legally recognized as chairman at this stage. As a result, the ECP emphasized that it is not possible to grant any legal status to him regarding the party leadership or the inclusion of members.

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Barrister Gohar confirmed receipt of the ECP’s reply and announced his intention to take the matter to court. He stated that the ECP has yet to recognize PTI’s intra-party election or issue the official certificate confirming the results.

Barrister Gohar also dismissed the possibility of PTI being banned. He questioned the legal basis for a ban, stating, “If PTI is not a registered party according to the Election Commission, how can it be banned?”