NEW DELHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan
on Saturday said that a merger with the
Sunni Ittehad Council
(
SIC
) was not on the cards, even in the scenario where
PTI
regains its
election symbol
of the 'bat.' Khan explained that both parties have distinct political orientations, according to a report by Dawn.
Earlier, independent candidates supported by PTI had formed alliances with SIC subsequent to PTI's loss of its electoral symbol, the 'bat,' following the February 8 elections.
Previously, the
Election Commission of Pakistan
(ECP) delivered a four-to-one verdict, ruling that the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) was ineligible to claim quotas for reserved seats, as reported by Dawn.
This ruling was grounded on incurable legal flaws and a breach of mandatory provisions regarding the submission of party lists for reserved seats, as mandated by the law.
"Barrister Gohar was questioned about a possible merger with the SIC in case the PTI was given its election symbol back, to which he said: "If they (the SIC) call for a merger, then their party can do it, but since it is a religious party, maybe they might not go for a merger, and we are a different kind of democratic party, so we will keep our own platform," said the PTI leader during an interview with DawnNewsTV show on Sunday,
According to Dawn, Gohar said that the party and its members are anticipating the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to acknowledge and officially declare the intraparty elections held on March 3. They also await the return of the 'bat' symbol to the party.
"It's been one month, and we still haven't been given the certificate," he said, adding that it was very "unfortunate.".
"It was "obvious" that if the PTI was given its certificate and election symbol, then its members, currently part of the SIC, would return to the party, adding that these aspects were part of the memorandum of understanding with the SIC as well," he added.
Furthermore, he affirmed that they are waiting for official confirmation before actively participating in parliamentary proceedings.
"We will join our party when we receive the certificate and will participate in Parliament from its platform." PTI leader Barrister Gohar said.
Barrister Gohar said that PTI maintained a strong understanding with SIC, ensuring both parties' representation in Parliament. However, he criticized ECP and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for not allocating reserved seats to SIC.
Regarding a recent meeting at Peshawar's Corps Commander's House by the KP government, Gohar minimized its significance, emphasizing the need for a working relationship amidst provincial security concerns.
PTI announced Barrister Ali Zafar as their candidate for the
opposition leader
in the upcoming
Senate chairman
and deputy chairman elections. Gohar highlighted the absence of KP representation due to postponed Senate elections, questioning the legitimacy of conducting these elections.
Responding to rift allegations within PTI leadership following Shehryar Afridi's comments, Gohar emphasized internal matters should be addressed within party platforms.
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