The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party conducted its intra-party elections on December 2, 2023, as ordered by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Barrister Gohar Ali Khan was elected unopposed as the party’s new chairman, replacing incarcerated chief Imran Khan. Former minister Omar Ayub Khan was elected the central secretary general of the party.

Background

In November 2023, the ECP had directed the PTI to hold intra-party polls within 20 days to qualify for the ‘bat’ electoral symbol. The PTI had conducted its intra-party polls in 2022, but the ECP ruled that they were not conducted transparently as per the Constitution.

Barrister Gohar Ali Khan

Barrister Gohar Ali Khan is a Supreme Court lawyer from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He has been a member of Imran Khan’s legal team. He has a long history of political activism and legal advocacy.

Implications

The election of Barrister Gohar Ali Khan as chairman of the PTI is seen as a victory for Imran Khan. Khan is still the de facto leader of the PTI, despite being in jail on charges of terrorism. The election of Khan’s close associate as chairman is likely to ensure the electoral politics of the party.

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