Barrister Gohar says fair trial denied to PTI leaders, workers

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, while reacting to punishments of party leaders in May 9 case, has said that it is worst example of political victimization, adding that such decisions were aimed at destroying democracy in the country, reported 24NewsHDTV Channel. 

Speaking to the media, Gohar said, "Today is a sad day for democracy. Our leaders, including those from the Sunni Ittehad Council, have been unjustly sentenced in Faisalabad. These are democratic individuals who have always respected the system."

He said that during the last three days three punishments were announced to PTI leaders and forty fives sentence was announced to PTI lawmakers. 

He said that in order to pressurize Imran Khan, his spouse Bushra Bibi was sentenced despite all this PTI has decided to move with the state. 

Barrister Gohar said he had urged the chief justice of Pakistan to review the situation as right to justice was being denied to PTI lawmakers. He said ATC Judges used to hear cases late at night and PTI leaders. 

He stressed that PTI has always tried to strengthen parliament and integrate into the democratic framework. "Despite our efforts to be part of the system, our leaders are behind bars without cause. The judiciary must deliver justice. We’ve told the Chief Justice this clearly." Gohar added that PTI does not support chaos and always preferred dialogue, citing the PTI founder’s repeated calls for reconciliation, even after the alleged theft of their mandate.

He warned that people are losing faith in the judiciary. “If things continue this way, the system will collapse. There are elements trying to dismantle it from within. We will challenge these verdicts in high courts.” Gohar said the party would soon decide whether it should remain part of the system, and that PTI will announce its next political strategy soon.