{"id":37766,"date":"2023-12-20T16:05:08","date_gmt":"2023-12-20T16:05:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/imran-to-contest-polls-from-three-constituencies-says-gohar-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-12-20T16:05:08","modified_gmt":"2023-12-20T16:05:08","slug":"imran-to-contest-polls-from-three-constituencies-says-gohar-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/imran-to-contest-polls-from-three-constituencies-says-gohar-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Imran to contest polls from three constituencies, says Gohar | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nRAWALPINDI:
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Wednesday revealed that former prime minister Imran Khan will contest elections from the constituencies of\u00a0Mianwali, Lahore and Islamabad.<\/p>\n

Addressing the media after visiting Imran in Adiala jail, the newly-elected party chairman added that Imran would sign the nomination papers tomorrow. “Today, I was not allowed to take even a plain piece of paper,\u201d\u00a0he claimed.<\/p>\n

Gohar also alleged that nomination papers were being “snatched” from party candidates contesting in the upcoming general elections scheduled for\u00a0February\u00a08.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Elaborating further, the party chairman claimed that nomination papers were taken away from former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi\u2019s secretary inside Adiala jail and added: \u201cThe impression of fairness and transparency in the elections would be lost if nomination papers are snatched from people\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cElections have been announced and we want the elections to be held on time,\u201d\u00a0he maintained, urging the\u00a0Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure free and fair polls.<\/p>\n

Referring to the level-playing field provided to political candidates, Barrister Gohar lamented that \u201cNawaz Sharif always plays with the umpire. This time our candidates are not even being allowed to enter the ground\u201d and added that the PTI\u2019s stance regarding elections being held on time has always been consistent.<\/p>\n

Read <\/strong>SC will salvage democracy: PTI chief<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are afraid that the situation will worsen if our people are stopped. We do not want the situation to deteriorate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Barrister Gohar further told the media that he is consulting the former PTI chairman regarding the distribution of party tickets. \u201cIt could take more time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Barrister Ali Zafar said Imran had asked him to convey some messages on his behalf to the public. \u201cSad news is pouring from every corner of the country,\u201d Barrister Zafar said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWherever our candidates are submitting their nomination papers, the papers are being confiscated,\u201d\u00a0he said and added that the party would move the courts to take notice of the matter.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He maintained that the confiscation of nomination papers does not indicate \u2018free and fair elections.\u2019<\/p>\n

Stating that PTI stands with the Supreme Court\u00a0for organising the polls, Barrister Zafar said: \u201cOnly elections would bring stability in the country\u201d.<\/p>\n

He further added that democracy would be harmed if the party is not allotted the \u2018bat\u2019 as its symbol. He further urged the ECP to decide on the party\u2019s symbol soon.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Islamabad High Court\u00a0(IHC) verdict of the Toshakhana case would be coming soon,\u201d\u00a0he told the media. \u201cI hope the courts would ensure justice\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n