Barrister Gohar Demands Maryam Nawaz Apologise Over ‘Terrorism’ Remarks
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has demanded that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz apologise over controversial terrorism-related remarks, arguing that political leaders should avoid statements that could create divisions between Pakistan’s provinces and people.
The demand follows criticism from PTI leaders over comments attributed to Maryam concerning terrorism and people coming into Punjab from other parts of the country.
PTI figures have characterised the remarks as offensive to residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan and accused the Punjab chief minister of using language that could undermine national cohesion.
The controversy comes at a time when Pakistan is facing persistent militant violence and political disagreements over how terrorism should be confronted.
Gohar Calls for Apology
Gohar said terrorism was a national problem rather than an issue belonging to any particular province or community, according to the latest Express report.
He called on Maryam to withdraw the disputed remarks and apologise, arguing that political disagreements should not result in language that could create mistrust among citizens from different regions.
PTI’s criticism echoes remarks by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who on September 6 accused Maryam of portraying people from Sindh, KP and Balochistan as terrorists. That is Afridi’s interpretation of her comments and should not be presented as an established description of what Maryam said.
PTI Says It Opposes Terrorism
Gohar has previously made PTI’s position on militant groups explicit.
Speaking in July, he said the party would not support the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and regarded TTP members as terrorists, adding that there should be no ambiguity about taking action against terrorism.
At the same time, Gohar has argued that peaceful political protest and terrorism must be treated as separate issues, criticising the use of excessive force against unarmed demonstrators.
His latest comments similarly seek to distinguish the security threat posed by militant organisations from broader populations or political constituencies.
Political Dispute Comes Amid Security Concerns
Pakistan continues to face significant security challenges, particularly in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The security environment has increasingly become part of the political confrontation between the federal and provincial leaderships, with opposition parties and governing parties trading accusations over responsibility, policy and the effectiveness of counterterrorism measures.
That makes rhetoric linking terrorism with provinces or populations particularly sensitive.
PTI maintains that militant violence should be confronted through a national strategy without stigmatising citizens on the basis of where they live or come from.
The controversy also comes amid a broader debate over provincial rights, new provinces and the distribution of political and financial authority within Pakistan.
Attribution Important in Political Dispute
The latest development is fundamentally a political demand by Barrister Gohar and PTI, rather than a judicial or official finding concerning Maryam Nawaz’s remarks.
Claims that the Punjab chief minister labelled entire provincial populations as terrorists are PTI’s interpretation and criticism of her comments. They should therefore be attributed accordingly rather than stated as independently established fact.
At the latest check, the available source material did not establish a fresh response from Maryam Nawaz to Gohar’s demand for an apology.
The dispute is likely to generate further political reaction because both PTI and PML-N remain central players in Pakistan’s national politics, while terrorism and provincial cohesion remain highly sensitive issues.
