Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has resigned from four standing committees of the National Assembly. His move follows direct instructions from the party’s founder, Imran Khan, who remains a central figure in PTI’s political strategy.
Gohar was serving on the Law and Justice, Human Rights, Information Technology, and House Business Advisory committees. His resignation marks another significant step in PTI’s ongoing withdrawal from parliamentary functions.
So far, 18 PTI lawmakers have stepped down from different National Assembly committees. These include senior figures such as Faisal Amin Gandapur, Shaharyar Afridi, Junaid Akbar Khan, Sheikh Waqas Akram, and Amir Dogar.
The resignations come at a time when PTI is also boycotting upcoming by-elections. The party has declared the process unfair after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified several of its leaders. Many of them were barred from holding office over alleged involvement in the May 9, 2023, riots.
Lawmakers such as Sajid Khan, Ali Asghar, Shahid Khattak, Faisal, and Asif Khan have also withdrawn from their committees. Some even expressed willingness to vacate their assembly seats if instructed by Imran Khan.
Junaid Akbar Khan, who was serving as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, also resigned. His letter was submitted to the party’s chief whip, Amir Dogar, in line with PTI’s directive. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has confirmed receiving several of these resignations.
PTI has further announced that its members will quit the Judicial Commission, terming their role in it ineffective. Barrister Gohar and Senator Ali Zafar are currently part of that body.
These developments reflect PTI’s broader strategy to distance itself from parliamentary affairs. By pulling out of committees and boycotting by-elections, the party aims to protest what it calls unfair disqualifications of its representatives.
Analysts see the latest wave of PTI resignations from NA committees as a calculated political move. It signals both defiance and an attempt to maintain pressure on the government and institutions.
