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PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said that a meeting with the party’s founder is essential for improving the current political situation. Speaking to reporters near Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Gohar said political tensions could not be reduced through the registration of cases and continued confrontation. He was responding to questions about a case registered against Noreen Bibi. Gohar said statements made by Noreen Niazi should be viewed as her personal opinion. He added that she had already clarified her position. He also stressed the importance of Kashmir for Pakistan, saying the region held a special place in the country’s national interest. The PTI chairman criticised the political approach of the country’s two major parties. He said their political activities had contributed to the current situation. Gohar also defended PTI’s decision to boycott the recent Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. He said the party had called for a better political environment before participating in the electoral process. He stressed that free and fair elections were necessary for Pakistan to move forward. According to him, political parties should avoid unnecessary point-scoring at a time when the country needs stability. Gohar also made PTI’s position on terrorism clear. He said the party would not support the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan under any circumstances. He described TTP members as terrorists and said action against terrorism was necessary. At the same time, Gohar said peaceful political protests should be handled differently. He emphasised that peaceful demonstrations should not be treated in the same manner as acts of terrorism or violence. He said PTI would also hold discussions with Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai. He expressed hope that allied political parties would stand together on August 5. Speaking about national security, Gohar referred to the recent conflict with India. He described Pakistan’s response as a matter of national pride and said the country would respond strongly if India attempted similar action in the future. Gohar also commented on Aleema Khan’s political activities. He said PTI’s important members of the National and Provincial Assemblies were supporting her. He again defended the party’s boycott of the AJK elections. Gohar claimed that voter turnout remained very low, estimating it at around 5 to 7 per cent. He said PTI had decided not to support demands that it considered against the state or the Kashmir cause. He maintained that the election boycott was a carefully considered political decision. Gohar said the current situation required politicians to listen to the people instead of focusing solely on political competition. He stressed that public concerns should remain at the centre of political decision-making.

The Lahore High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) seeking permission to hold a public gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan. Justice Mirza Waqas Rauf announced the written decision on a petition filed by Mian Usman Akram. The petitioner had asked the court to allow the party to hold a rally at Minar-e-Pakistan. He argued that refusing permission for the gathering violated the constitutional right to peaceful assembly. The petition referred to Article 16 of the Constitution. The article protects the right of citizens to assemble peacefully and without arms, subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law. The court, however, noted that the right to peaceful assembly does not mean that every gathering can be held without following the relevant legal procedure. Under the applicable law, permission for a public gathering is granted through the relevant administrative authorities. The deputy commissioner is responsible for considering such requests and issuing an NOC where required. During the proceedings, the government’s lawyer informed the court that a meeting had already been held under the deputy commissioner to consider the PTI’s request. The meeting reviewed the security and law and order situation in the area. Officials recommended that the proposed rally should not be allowed because of security concerns. The written judgment also noted the nature of Minar-e-Pakistan as a public place. The court observed that the site is regularly visited by citizens for recreational and other public activities. According to the government’s submission, the deputy commissioner had already taken a decision on the PTI’s application. The request for permission to hold the rally was rejected on August 3. The court observed that the administrative authority had already decided the matter. Therefore, the petition could not be entertained as a request for permission that was still pending before the deputy commissioner. The Lahore High Court consequently dismissed the petition.