Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan on Tuesday claimed that the recent discussion surrounding the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment was an attempt to divert the public attention from the controversial 27th Amendment.
Speaking to the media at the Dahgal checkpoint near Adiala Jail—where Punjab Police stopped him from meeting jailed former prime minister Imran Khan—Gohar accused the government of placing itself above the law and losing public respect. He stressed that judiciary’s job is to strengthen democracy and warned that ignoring court rulings undermines democratic norms.
Gohar said some judges had resigned due to personal reasons, adding that no judge should be considered political. “Good judges should remain in the judiciary; they should not resign,” he remarked. He reiterated PTI’s opposition to the constitutional court, noting that the party had also opposed the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments. While many countries have constitutional courts, he said, their role is typically limited to interpreting the constitution, whereas the government’s proposal assigns such courts wide-ranging political and constitutional authority.
“The judiciary is independent only when judges decide cases in accordance with the constitution and the law,” he said. Although the public may have complaints about judicial conduct, and “there is no doubt the judiciary exceeded its powers,” he maintained that reforms should not come through the 26th or 27th Amendments. He also condemned restrictions on access to Imran Khan, saying that despite court orders and SOPs, PTI leaders are still barred from meeting him. “Repression is increasing, and Imran Khan is being kept in solitary confinement,” he alleged.
Gohar also condemned the harassment of TV anchor Shahzeb Khanzada, calling it unacceptable. “A journalist has no party or boundary,” he said. “Whether a journalist speaks for you or against you, they are doing their job. No one has the right to intrude into someone’s private life or harass them, especially when they are with their family.” He said he had conveyed his concerns to Khanzada’s team, adding: “Such incidents should not happen. A journalist’s opinion cannot justify violating their privacy.”
Referring to online criticism of senior journalist Ansar Abbasi, Gohar said Abbasi is “a very good journalist and a good person,” and that reporting statements attributed to the army chief should not invite trolling. “We can express our opinions, but trolling is never acceptable,” he said, adding that freedom of expression is essential in a democracy.
Gohar also denounced Senator Faisal Vawda’s remarks about Bushra Bibi, the jailed former first lady, calling them “extremely wrong.” He described the trolling and online campaigns against her as regrettable and said The Economist’s reporting on her was based on “mere allegations.” PTI, he added, would consider legal action after meeting both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. “She wears a hijab and is not involved in politics,” he said.
