PTI chief blocks ‘Imran Khan Release Force’ plan

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) —  The leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has moved to halt a proposal to form an “Imran Khan Release Force,” with party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan intervening amid concerns over the legality and potential fallout of the initiative.

According to sources, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan cautioned Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi against pursuing the idea, warning that the creation of a “force” bound by an oath for a political objective could be deemed unconstitutional and unlawful. He also expressed apprehension that such a move might be interpreted as encouraging militancy.

Party insiders said the PTI chairman reached out to opposition figures, including Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, to build consensus against the proposal, which had triggered unease within political circles. The plan to administer an oath to prospective members on Feb 22 was subsequently shelved following internal objections, though sources indicated the possibility of the idea resurfacing after Ramazan.

Senior PTI leaders privately acknowledged that the proposal had alarmed the party’s central leadership, fearing it could invite legal challenges and intensify perceptions of confrontation. Barrister Gohar Ali Khan reportedly advised that any mobilisation for the release of former prime minister Imran Khan should proceed through lawful political committees at provincial and district levels, a strategy historically employed by the party.

The matter also came under discussion at a recent PTI political committee meeting, where leaders were instructed to refrain from public comment, suggesting efforts to contain internal differences. Sources claimed that the concept of the “Release Force” had been floated by Murad Saeed, although this could not be independently verified.