Islamabad: Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has intervened to prevent Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Suhail Afridi from establishing a controversial initiative called the “Imran Khan Release Force.”
Party sources told The News that this intervention, carried out both directly and through senior party leaders, came at a time when the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had announced the formation of a specialized force aimed at securing the release of PTI founder Imran Khan, who was in jail.
According to sources, Barrister Gohar warned the Chief Minister in clear terms that forming any group labeled as a “force,” especially if its members were required to take an oath for political purposes, could be deemed unconstitutional and illegal, and might even be interpreted as an act of militancy.
It is reported that Gohar also contacted opposition leaders, including Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, to build political consensus within PTI and its alliances against the move.
Related Reports:
- The Chief Minister stated the release force does not require party approval; it will be formed if announced: Shafee Jan
- No political wing involved; the force will be disbanded after Imran Khan’s release: Shafee Jan
- KP CM announces formation of force for Imran Khan’s release
Political circles are taking the proposal seriously. Insider sources say that the Chief Minister had intended to take an oath from the proposed force members on February 22, but the plan was postponed at the last minute due to internal objections. Reports indicate that he may now proceed after Ramadan.
Senior PTI leaders privately acknowledge that the plan caused concern within the central leadership, as forming a semi-organized “force” could expose the party to legal action and accusations of inciting confrontation.
Barrister Gohar reportedly advised that if mobilization for Imran Khan’s release was necessary, it should be done through legally established political committees at provincial, regional, and district levels, as has been done in past political movements, to avoid constitutional complications.
The matter was also highlighted in a recent political committee meeting, where participants were instructed not to publicly comment, indicating that the leadership is attempting to contain a potentially harmful internal conflict.
This incident underscores growing strategic disagreements within PTI. At a time when the party faces a complex political environment, some leaders favor an aggressive approach, while others insist on cautious and legally defensible strategies.
It is also alleged that the idea of forming the release force was suggested to Chief Minister Suhail Afridi by the low-profile PTI leader Murad Saeed, who is considered his nominator for the KP Chief Executive position. Sources say Imran Khan did not personally know Suhail Afridi beforehand.
