Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan dodged tough questions from journalists regarding his party’s last-minute decision to skip the crucial National Security Committee (NSC) meeting, despite his earlier stance that such discussions should unite all political forces against terrorism.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail on Tuesday, Gohar reiterated that national security should not be politicised and that all parties must have a unified stance on combating terrorism.
However, when asked why PTI backed out of the security meeting after initially agreeing to attend, Barrister Gohar claimed that the decision was made collectively by the party and not by him alone.
A journalist confronted him, asking, "Is the party more important than Pakistan? The country needs you right now." In response, Gohar said, "There is no doubt that Pakistan comes first, but our party had set certain conditions, including meeting our founder [Imran Khan] first."
When questioned about the perception that PTI always finds excuses to skip critical national security discussions, Gohar denied the claim, saying, "That should not be the case, and we will never make excuses."
He refused to comment on whether the party’s decision to abstain was timely and appropriate, stating that as PTI chairman, he cannot make personal judgements and would not comment on the party's decision.