PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has intervened to stop Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi from creating an “Imran Khan Release Force.” The proposal aimed to secure the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Sources said Gohar warned Afridi that forming a “force,” especially one requiring an oath for a political goal, could be unconstitutional and illegal. He also cautioned that it could be seen as promoting militancy.
The PTI chairman reportedly reached out to opposition leaders, including Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. The goal was to build consensus within the PTI and among opposition parties against the move. Political insiders said the proposal has sparked serious concern in political circles.
Afridi had initially planned to administer an oath to the proposed force members on February 22. The plan was quietly shelved after internal objections. Sources suggest the chief minister may revisit the idea after Ramazan.
Senior PTI officials privately acknowledged that the plan caused alarm at the party’s central leadership. They fear forming a quasi-military “force” could lead to legal challenges and accusations of confrontation.
Barrister Gohar advised that if mobilisation for Khan’s release was needed, the party should focus on lawful political committees at provincial, regional, and district levels. This strategy has historically been used to mobilise support without inviting legal issues.
The issue was also discussed at a recent PTI political committee meeting. Leaders were instructed to avoid public comments, indicating attempts to contain internal tensions.
Sources claim that underground PTI leader Murad Saeed proposed the idea of the “Imran Khan Release Force” to Afridi. Afridi was Saeed’s nominee for KP’s top executive post. Khan reportedly had no prior personal connection with Afridi.
