The inside story of a recent meeting between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir has come forth.
The discussions primarily revolved around security and counter-terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), according to security sources.
The meeting, held in Peshawar, was reportedly focused on addressing the region's pressing security challenges, but security sources have expressed concern over its portrayal as a politically charged event.
According to insiders, Barrister Gohar attempted to raise political matters during the discussions. However, he was advised to address political issues with relevant political entities rather than in a security-focused forum. "The response was clear: political issues should be taken up with politicians," a security source revealed.
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Security officials also clarified that the meeting was presented out of context by certain political narratives. “It is regrettable that a discussion centred on counter-terrorism and law enforcement was given a political colour,” said a source close to the matter.
Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur confirmed meeting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir recently.
Talking to the media in Islamabad, CM Gandapur confirmed that he and Barrister Gohar met with the army chief, while the PTI chairman said they put their demands before Gen Munir, who reportedly responded positively.
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Barrister Gohar, speaking to journalists after visiting PTI Founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, stated that the PTI’s demands were presented to the army chief, who responded positively. “The founding chairman has welcomed this meeting, and we hope for improved circumstances moving forward,” he said, adding that if any talks have started, it is a welcome sign.
He further said all issues related to the stability of the country were discussed during their meeting, hoping the situation gets better now.
Gohar emphasized that he only discloses to the media the information that the PTI founder instructs him to, adding that Imran Khan had himself informed the media about Gohar's meeting with the army chief. Talking to journalists at the Parliament House after meeting Imran Khan, Gohar said he was doing everything for the party founder and was, therefore, bound by his instructions.
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Ali Amin Gandapur claimed that it was not a one-on-one interaction, but also said details of one-on-one meetings are not disclosed. “Barrister Gohar and I met together. [The army chief] also invited other political parties. One-on-one means the details cannot be disclosed,” Gandapur said, acknowledging that there was another meeting where Barrister Gohar was also present. However, he refused to disclose what was discussed in that meeting.
When asked by Samaa TV if he had any backdoor contacts with the powers that be, Gandapur acknowledged he had official contacts too, and he passes on messages from the party and its founder. "When I say something, it gets sometimes heated," he commented, adding that when there is a discussion, political people present their concerns.
