PTI to partake in polls at all costs: Barrister Gauhar

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Barrister Gauhar has said the party will take part in the upcoming general elections at all costs.

“Boycott of election is out of the question. Election is an important process and participation of parties is essential,” he said while talking to the media outside Adiala Jail.

The meeting with the former prime minister Imran Khan was held on the orders of the Islamabad High Court, he said, adding that consultations on the issue of tickets were held and the process will be completed in a two-day deliberations to finalize the tickets.

He said the nomination papers of most of the PTI candidates were rejected. However, he added that on February 8, the opponents will be defeated.

He requested the Supreme Court to take notice of ‘singling out the PTI’.

“We have approached the Supreme Court for a level playing field,” he maintained.

 He said in consultation with the former PTI chairman, it was decided that the party persons who held press conferences against it would not be considered for tickets.

Barrister Gauhar said: “We will also fight with the U-18 and U-19 teams. We will not give them an open field.  “

Regarding the Jamiat Ulema Islam, he said the Maulana Fazl's party was not a national party.

JUI is confined to KP and Balochistan. It has no share in Punjab and Sindh,” the PTI leader said.

“We never wanted to put off election. We want a transparent election. We enjoy 70 per cent of popularity,” he said.

He said though the party showed dissatisfaction with the current setup, it will partake in polls. He questioned how a government formed by horse-trading can deliver.

Such government can’t bring stability, he said and questioned what would happen if the polls held in the ‘current circumstances.’

“It is the responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to conduct free and fair polls.

“We request a common election symbol. Our candidates should not be independent.”