Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is considering a potential boycott of parliamentary proceedings or launching a nationwide movement following a series of court verdicts against its senior leadership. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan addressed the media in an emergency press conference, voicing serious concerns over what he described as a systematic campaign to sideline the party.

Flanked by senior party figures including Asad Qaiser, Junaid Akbar Khan, and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Barrister Gohar declared the day a “dark one for democracy.” He lamented that the party’s electoral mandate had been “stolen,” their leader, Imran Khan, remained incarcerated, and justice appeared increasingly elusive.

Gohar detailed the legal challenges facing PTI, citing the sentencing of six MNAs, three MPAs, one senator, and both the National Assembly and Senate opposition leaders. He further noted that prominent figures such as Hamid Raza of the Sunni Ittehad Council and PTI leader Zartaj Gul had also been targeted.

“Our approach has always been to safeguard democratic institutions,” he said. “We stayed within the bounds of parliament, avoided street agitation, and remained committed to the system — but the state’s machinery continues to act against us.”

The PTI chairman also criticized the Election Commission, accusing it of overstepping its expired tenure while disqualifying elected representatives from the party. “This raises an important question: who is orchestrating this campaign against PTI?” he asked.

Gohar reaffirmed PTI’s commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law but signaled that the leadership was now being forced to reconsider its strategy. “The circumstances are dire. We have placed the matter before our incarcerated leader, Imran Khan, and the party leadership will soon announce whether we will boycott parliament or take to the streets.”

He concluded the press conference with a call to the judiciary, stressing, “In times of national crisis, all eyes turn to the courts. We are still looking toward the judiciary for justice.”

The coming days are expected to be pivotal for PTI as it decides its political course amid mounting legal and institutional pressure.