Barrister Gohar, Amir Dogar fail to attend dinner in honor of US delegation despite invitation: NA spokesperson

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has said that PTI chairman Barrister Gohar and MNA Amir Dogar were invited to attend dinner hosted in the honor of US congressional delegation visiting Pakistan but they failed to turn up, reported 24NewsHDTV Channel. 

According to spokesperson of NA Speaker, on Saturday night, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq hosted a dinner in honor of the American delegation. 

Principal Secretary to Speaker, Special Secretary IR and DG Protocol called Barrister Gohar and Malik Amir Dogar and invited them to attend the dinner. Spokesperson claimed both members accepted the Speaker’s invitation to attend the dinner and confirmed their attendance. 

National Assembly Spokesperson said both PTI leaders failed to attend the meeting and dinner despite their confirmations. The spokesman made it clear that it is contrary to the fact that PTI delegation was not invited. 

Earlier, NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Tuesday said that the US congressional delegation visiting Pakistan made no mention of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in a recent meeting with him. In a statement, the NA speaker said the US lawmakers clearly stated that they had nothing to do with Pakistan's internal politics. The statement comes in the light of recent allegations by PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan of being not invited to the government officials' meeting with the US delegation in Pakistan.

The US officials have been holding meetings with the government officials on the sidelines of the Pakistan's Minerals Forum 2025. However, Sadiq refuted Gohar's claim, saying that the lawyer-turned-politician and PTI Chief Whip Amir Dogar had been invited to a dinner hosted for the US delegation. “It was a chance for PTI leaders to sit and talk with the Americans — the same people they seek help from,” he remarked.

He said the federal government's ally, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had also expressed interest in discussing canal-related matters during the meeting. “Thirty people raised the issue of canals, but the opposition missed the opportunity to properly address it,” Sadiq said. The NA speaker further stated that when the PPP submitted a resolution regarding canals, he reminded them that the issue had already been debated and that the Deputy Prime Minister IShaq Dar had also issued a statement on it.

Sadiq questioned how legislation could move forward if the quorum was not complete. He said production orders for members had been issued, jails declared as sub-jails, and all records were available on the website.  “I believe in talks with the opposition,” he said, but added, “No one can be forced to sit at the table over any issue.”