Party of Pakistan's former jailed Prime Minister Imran Khan elects new head
Dec 2, 2023
Jailed former Pakistani premier Imran Khan’s party has elected a new head for the first time since it was established, following the recommendation of the imprisoned politician
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — Jailed former Pakistani premier
Imran Khan
's party elected Saturday a new head for the first time since it was established, following the recommendation of the imprisoned politician.Khan has been in charge of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or PTI, since he founded it in 1996.
On Wednesday, the former prime minister — who is currently serving a three-year sentence — named one of his lawyers, Gohar Khan, as a candidate for the party’s top post.
The party's chief election commissioner, Niazullah Niazi, confirmed Saturday that Gohar was elected, after running unopposed, and has replaced Khan in the intra-party polls.
After his election, PTI’s new head told party supporters in the northern city of Peshawar — from where the election results were announced — that he would remain a loyal representative of Imran Khan.
“I will step down once the conviction of Imran Khan is overturned,” he said.
Gohar Khan is a lawyer of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the country’s top judicial body, according to his website; He graduated from Wolverhampton University in the UK and is currently part of Imran Khan’s legal defense team.
A senior PTI leader, Omar Ayub Khan, said that the former premier set a precedent by nominating a party member as his successor rather than a relative, a common practice in Pakistan's political circles. "He set an impossibly high bar,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Last month, the Election Commission of Pakistan gave PTI 20 days to choose a leader after annulling the party election of last year, when Imran Khan was renewed as head.
Imran Khan, the former cricketer who became one of the country’s most popular politicians,
was convicted
in August for unlawfully selling state gifts and was unable to run in his party’s election. He wasousted in a no-confidence vote
in parliament in 2022 and has since been mired inlegal battles
over corruption charges and revealing state secrets among others.Khan had denied all charges and depicted his ouster as part of a campaign against him by then Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the United States and the Pakistani military — a claim all three deny.
MORE NEWS
Out on parole, Asaram fails to return to Jodhpur jail on time; action initiated
The Ratanada police registered a case against the convicted godman under the Prisons Act on Tuesday night for failing to surrender within the stipulated time, even as the jail authorities refused to admit him due to the late hour.
Haryana ERC puts Eleven Power’s parallel power distribution licence on hold
The commission’s decision follows a state government directive issued under the Electricity Act, 2003, raising concerns over financial and consumer implications
Adani said to weigh deal for €3 billion energy storage firm VTTI
Billionaire Gautam Adani is reportedly exploring a potential acquisition of Dutch energy storage group VTTI. Supply disruptions have made VTTI's facilities increasingly valuable for energy trading, attracting multiple suitors. A deal could value VTTI at around €3 billion, with IFM Investors and Vitol owning significant stakes. Adani Group has been evaluating international acquisitions to accelerate its growth in various sectors.
School Holiday October 29: Which states have announced closures due to Cyclone Arnab? Will schools in Delhi, Punjab and other North Indian states remain closed for Karwa Chauth? Check state-wise updates
School Holiday October 29 news: Schools in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Jharkhand will close on October 29 due to Cyclone Arnab. Karwa Chauth is also observed on this day, affecting school holidays. While Delhi government schools declared a holiday, private schools may vary in their schedules. Parents are advised to check with individual schools for updated holiday information. District administrations will provide details regarding school closures based on local weather conditions.
Vedanta explores Rs 80,000 crore investment in West Bengal, says Anil Agarwal
In a bold move, Vedanta Group's Anil Agarwal announced an investment strategy of Rs 70,000-80,000 crore in West Bengal, set to foster job creation for around 10,000 individuals. He conveyed confidence in the state's manufacturing potential and the necessity of leveraging local resources. This announcement came during a key meeting at Nabanna, highlighting Agarwal's commitment to positioning India as a manufacturing powerhouse on the global stage.
British PM Burnham commits to 'strongest possible' links with India in Diwali address
During his first Diwali as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham expressed his commitment to strengthen UK-India relations. The celebration at 10 Downing Street included lighting lamps and cultural performances. Burnham emphasized the importance of harmony among various communities in the UK. Key speakers highlighted the ongoing free trade agreement between the two countries and its benefits. The festive events reflect the growing partnership between the UK and India.
Assam Chief Minister chairs two crucial meetings in Dibrugarh to safeguard indigenous land rights
Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma convened a series of meetings in Dibrugarh, concentrating on securing land rights for indigenous peoples. The gatherings highlighted challenges related to land distribution for tribal families, particularly within the Moran and Matak communities. To aid in resolving these issues, youth will receive training for online applications, reinforcing initiatives aimed at preserving and respecting the land ownership of tribes in Upper Assam.
YouTube Outage: Thousands of users reportedly facing problems, reports claim issues with Google Search and Gmail too
Google services, including YouTube and YouTube Music, have reported significant issues on October 28, 2026. Thousands of users faced problems accessing these platforms, with complaints rising sharply throughout the day. Users encountered issues streaming videos and loading content, prompting discussion on social media. Despite reports of widespread problems, Google's official status dashboard shows services operational. The cause of these issues remains unclear and has not been confirmed by Google.
MoS Somanna sees 2028 message in NDA’s council poll sweep
Union Minister of State V Somanna highlighted the Congress party's failure in recent Legislative Council elections across multiple states. He pointed out that Congress did not secure any seats in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar, or Uttar Pradesh. Somanna used these results to challenge Congress's claims regarding electronic voting machines and alleged electoral fraud. The outcomes are perceived as a negative reflection on the Congress government in Karnataka.
Council Tax Bands explained: How to check your band, current rates and can you pay less?
UK Chancellor John Healey has announced an innovative cost-of-energy payment aimed at aiding households in council tax bands A to D in England. Scheduled for January 2027, this initiative is expected to support roughly 20 million homes, funded by elevated taxes imposed on banks. The announcement details the council tax bands in England, encouraging residents to assess their eligibility for reductions or discounts on their council tax.
UK new minimum wage 2027: What will the new rates be, how much more will workers earn, and when does the new minimum wage start?
UK minimum wage 2027: The UK minimum wage will rise by 3.9% in April 2027, taking the hourly rate to £13.21 for workers aged 21 and over and £11.27 for those aged 18 to 20. Here's what to know about the new minimum wage 2027, how much more workers will earn and when the new rates take effect.