Gohar rules out PTI-SIC merger
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Saturday ruled out the possibility of his party’s merger with the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) in future, stating that the two parties were functioning with different orientations.
“If they (SIC) call for a merger, then their party can do it, but since it is a religious party maybe they might not go for a merger; we are a different kind of democratic party so we will keep our platform,” said the PTI leader while speaking at DawnNews show Doosra Rukh.
The PTI leader was questioned about the possible merger with the SIC in case the PTI got back its election symbol ‘bat’ from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Mr Khan said the PTI had been waiting for a decision by the ECP to recognise and notify the intra-party elections which were held on March 3, after which they would be able to get the election symbol back.
“It’s been one month and we still haven’t been given the certificate,” he said, adding that it was very “unfortunate”.
The PTI chairman said it was “obvious” that if the party was given its certificate and election symbol then its members, currently part of the SIC, would return to the party, adding that these aspects were part of the memorandum of understanding with the SIC as well.
“We will join our party when we receive the certificate and will participate in parliament from its platform,” the PTI leader said.
Barrister Gohar added the PTI had a “very good understanding” with the SIC and both parties would continue to be represented in parliament.
Barrister Gohar also downplayed the matter of a recent meeting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet at the Peshawar Corps Commander’s House, saying it was not a major issue if the cabinet met there for some reasons.
He stressed that a “working relationship” needed to be maintained and pointed towards the security climate of the province.
He said PTI’s founding chairman Imran Khan did not talk to him about the cabinet meeting controversy.
Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2024