In response to the recent Pakistan Democracy Act introduced in the US House of Representatives, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has firmly distanced itself from the proposed legislation. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan clarified on Monday that the party has no link to the bill or the visiting US congressional delegation.
PTI Rejects Link to US Legislation
Speaking at Parliament House, Gohar dismissed the bipartisan bill—which seeks sanctions against Pakistani officials for alleged human rights abuses, including the treatment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan—as irrelevant to PTI. He said the party neither influenced the bill nor maintains any contact with the US delegation currently visiting Pakistan.
“Many bills and resolutions are passed in the US Congress. We have nothing to do with this one,” Gohar stated, distancing PTI from any external lobbying efforts.
Foreign Office Rejects Sanctions Bill
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also rejected the bill, describing it as a move by a single legislator that does not reflect the current positive trajectory of Pakistan-US relations. Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said the bill’s timing and context do not align with the principles of mutual respect and non-interference.
He added that Pakistan remains committed to democracy, rule of law, human rights, and freedom of expression.
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Alliance-Building Underway
Turning to domestic politics, Gohar revealed that PTI is working to finalize a grand opposition alliance. The strategy will be outlined after consultations with key political players. He confirmed that JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman is expected to announce his decision on joining the alliance on April 15, following his party’s internal deliberations.
Gohar expressed optimism about uniting various opposition groups to form a strong front against the government. The alliance aims to start an anti-government movement soon after Eid ul Fitr.
PTI’s Wider Political Strategy
Gohar reiterated that PTI’s current focus is on unifying opposition forces rather than engaging in talks with the establishment. When questioned about backdoor communications with state institutions, he said he had no information beyond what the media reports.
In April 2024, PTI established the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), which includes the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM). More recently, PTI reached out to former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to strengthen the joint movement.
Internal Unity Despite Differences
Addressing internal party matters, Gohar emphasized that PTI remains a democratic platform where leaders are free to express their views. However, he advised that such discussions should be kept within party forums.
He downplayed any suggestions of serious infighting and said that open dialogue is part of PTI’s democratic structure.
As PTI distances itself from international controversies, its attention turns firmly toward domestic politics. With a multi-party alliance taking shape and growing dissent against the government, the coming weeks could see a significant shift in the country’s political landscape.
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