Barrister Gohar Ali Khan: How will PTI chairman fill in Imran Khan's shoes?
Gohar Ali Khan has outlined various goals to tackle Pakistan's economic, social, and political challenges; however, it is yet to be seen if he can deliver on them
Updated Sunday Feb 04 2024
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, the current chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was elected to lead the party in December 2023 after Imran Khan's myriad of legal challenges left him jail-bound.
A lawyer by profession, Gohar previously held the position of PTI's Chief Election Commissioner. Hailing from Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gohar is an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, appearing in all high courts. He earned his law degree from Wolverhampton University, UK, followed by an LLM from Washington School of Law, USA.
Returning to Pakistan after his education, Gohar joined Aitzaz Ahsan & Associates, practising under Aitzaz Ahsan's supervision. He played a significant role in the Lawyers' Movement of 2007, contributing to the restoration of then-Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry.
Politically, Gohar was a Pakistan People's Party (PPP) cohort before joining PTI in 2022. His rise was swift, becoming Chief Election Commissioner in July 2023 and chairman in December.
Notably, he contested the 2008 election on the "arrow" symbol before quietly distancing himself from the party after losing.
Before chairing PTI, Gohar served as Imran Khan's legal team member. When legal cases arose against the party after the PTI government fell, Khan became their focal point on legal matters.
He handled both the foreign funding case and the contempt of Election Commission case against Imran Khan.
Just two years after joining PTI, Gohar is contesting the 2024 general election from NA-10 Buner as PTI chairman. His primary goal is to steer PTI towards victory in the upcoming elections, upholding the party's principles of justice, transparency, and good governance.
Considering himself a staunch representative of Imran Khan's vision, Gohar intends to carry forward the agenda of building a "Naya Pakistan" free from corruption and inequality.
He emphasises reconnecting with and mobilising PTI's grassroots base across Pakistan. He plans to strengthen the party's structure and reach out to new voters.
Gohar has outlined various goals to tackle Pakistan's economic, social, and political challenges. He focuses on improving governance, promoting economic growth, and ensuring social justice for all.
His goals face complex challenges: the political landscape, economic instability, and internal divisions within PTI. Gohar's success depends on navigating these challenges and uniting the party under a common vision.
For party workers, both are prominent figures playing crucial roles within PTI. However, their backgrounds, political experience, and approaches differ.
Gohar vs Imran
Gohar is a seasoned lawyer with experience in constitutional law and human rights, while Imran Khan is a former world cricket champion and philanthropist who founded PTI in 1996 and served as prime minister from 2018 to 2023.
He is a relative newcomer to active politics, focused on legal affairs and organisational aspects within PTI. Imran Khan has a long-term political career marked by protests, campaigns, and ultimately serving as prime minister.
Gohar focuses on strengthening party structure and legal issues and presenting a moderate and inclusive image for the PTI. Imran Khan emphasised anti-corruption, tackling foreign interference, and addressing social issues, often using passionate rhetoric and mobilising mass support.
While Gohar, facing legal challenges, remains influential within PTI, and he, as the official chairman, is leading the party towards the upcoming elections while managing its daily affairs.
Their current roles and approaches may reflect a shift within PTI towards a more legalistic and potentially moderate stance, while still benefiting from Imran Khan's influence and popularity.
PTI faces significant internal and external challenges, including Khan's legal troubles, intra-party dissent, and a difficult political climate. High expectations exist from supporters for Khan's return and for PTI to continue its fight against corruption and injustice.
Tasks for Gohar
Solidify internal cohesion: Address any dissent within the party to present a united front.
Maintain the base of PTI: Engage supporters, and motivate them through effective communication, rallies, and campaigns.
Articulate the party's vision: Clearly articulate the party's vision and policies on key issues like the economy, governance, and foreign affairs.
Maintain open communication: Maintain open and transparent communication with the public, constructively addressing concerns and criticism.
The writer is a Geo News correspondent. He posts @ImHaiderSherazi
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