New provinces not only way to improve governance: Gohar

PESHAWAR: Calling for caution in decisions regarding the creation of new provinces, PTI Interim Chairman Barri­ster Gohar Ali Khan on Wednesday war­ned that any step taken in haste and without consensus could harm the federation.

“Good governance is needed in every province. But the creation of new provinces is not the only solution to improve governance, there are other ways, too. It should not be done in haste, and without consensus. It’s very good to have a discussion on this issue,” he said, while speaking to the media at the Peshawar High Court.

“However, making hasty decisions, going against the will of the people, imposing own decisions [on them], bulldozing such decisions through parliament or new constitutional amendments in such times of turmoil will only add to the problems people are facing instead of resolving issues. Therefore, this should be avoided,” he said.

Commenting on PTI’s planned march on Islamabad on Sept 27, Barrister Gohar said it would be peaceful and solely a “justice march”.

Expects JUI-F to join Sept 27 march; says no state resources will be used for PTI protest

“The PTI’s march on Islamabad will not be a casual march. There will be no chaos, and state resources will not be used,” he said.

He said PTI workers would demonstrate during the march that they were peaceful people. He added that the party had invited other opposition parties to join the protest.

“We expect Maulana Fazlur Rehman and the entire joint opposition to join us in the September 27 march,” he said.

Barrister Gohar said people wanted change through democratic means, with the rights of all citizens protected, and called for fresh elections.

“Like the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, there should be a treaty named ‘Peace of Pakistan’, in which everyone’s rights are protected, all stakeholders are included, people are given relief and political stability is ensured,” he said.

He said such a Pakistan would certainly progress and its people would prosper, adding that the public was now tired of political tension and division.

He also condemned a recent statement by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, where she reportedly said Punjab faced a greater threat from neighbouring provinces than from neighbouring India.

“Our core committee and political committee, in a recent meeting, demanded that the Punjab chief minister withdraw her remarks,” he said.

Barrister Gohar said Pakistan’s narrative was that India and its intelligence agency, RAW, were behind terrorism in the country.

“We only say that she should not support Pakistan’s enemies through her statements,” he said.

Commenting on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s recent visit to different cities in Sindh, the PTI chairman said the chief minister had received a warm public welcome during his street campaign.

“The enthusiasm among the people of Sindh regarding the upcoming protest march has boosted our morale,” he said, adding that it showed people wanted to get rid of the status quo.

He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was following the principles of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan “in letter and spirit”.

Asked about alleged police violence against students of a nursing college in Hayatabad, the PTI chairman said he was deeply saddened by the incident.

He said the senior vice president of the Nursing Association had contacted him following the incident, after which he immediately approached provincial ministers Meena Khan and Khaliqur Rehman for action.

Meanwhile, the PTI has submitted a list of six party leaders to the Adiala jail administration to allow them to meet incarcerated party founder Imran Khan on Thursday (today).

The list, submitted by Advocate Awais Younas Chaudhry, includes Sajjad Hussain Shah, Qaiser Abbas Maan, Saqib Meraaj, Malik Shakeel, Zeeshan Mohsin and Daniyal Kiyani.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2026