Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has claimed that his party has secured 15 seats in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections, warning that any attempt to reduce or alter the mandate will not be accepted.
Speaking to media in Rawalpindi, he stressed that the people’s vote must be respected as the basic foundation of democracy.
Barrister Gohar said PTI had fielded 22 candidates in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections and, after vote counting, the party emerged victorious on 15 seats.
He added that initial results showed PTI winning 8 out of 17 reported seats, while overall calculations confirmed a stronger position.
He claimed that the party’s lead in the total 24-seat assembly was clear based on current figures.
'We will not accept altered mandate'
The PTI chairman strongly objected to any possible adjustment in results, saying:
“If they give us two seats and take away 13 seats, we will not accept it.”
He emphasized that governance should belong only to those who have been given a mandate by the people.
Barrister Gohar reiterated PTI’s stance against forming coalitions with rival parties, including PPP and PML-N.
He said the party’s political narrative remains clear and consistent, adding that PTI does not believe in power-sharing arrangements with those it accuses of “stealing mandates” at the federal level.
Budget session, political strategy
Referring to national politics, he said the upcoming budget session expected on June 12 is a constitutional matter, and PTI’s parliamentary committee will decide the party’s response.
He stressed that regardless of participation, the government must provide relief to the public facing rising utility and fuel costs.
Concerns over leadership meetings
Barrister Gohar also raised concerns over restrictions on meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan.
He claimed that meetings have been restricted for 34 weeks, questioning the legality and humanitarian justification of such limitations.
He further said Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi has also not been able to meet the party founder since taking office.
The PTI chairman clarified that there is no forward bloc within the party, dismissing speculation about internal division.
He urged that political differences should not lead to what he called unjust restrictions or allegations against party leadership.
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