PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Saturday said the country’s founding fathers had struggled to break the shackles of British’s subjugation to secure independence to make a true democratic state.

 “If Pakistan wants to become a true democratic country, then the rule of law and Constitution must be made mandatory,” he added while speaking at the PTI’s convention organised at Islamabad’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa House on the occasion of Pakistan Day observed on March 23.

The PTI stalwart stressed the need for an independent judiciary and a strong parliament for the progress of Pakistan.

“We want the rule of law in this country,” he continued.

Gohar said whenever he met PTI founding chairman and former premier Imran Khan in jail, he always instructed him to give party tickets to its loyal activists.

“He [Imran] said a PTI activist should be the party chairman.”

The PTI leader noted that the nations, which became independent after Pakistan, had progressed more than the country.

“We want to turn this country into the Pakistan envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.”

Gohar claimed that those who did not have the public’s mandate were not entitled to rule the country.

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He continued that soon the PTI founding chairman would be set free from jail and turn Pakistan into a truly independent country.

He urged the Supreme Court to advise the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to make the Senate votes verifiable so that horse-trading could be stopped ensure transparency in the polling process of the upper house of parliament.

Speaking on the occasion, PTI MNA and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser regretted that this was not the Pakistan for which their ancestors had rendered matchless sacrifices as the Constitution of the country was virtually suspended and there was no rule of law.

He added that the PTI and its founding chairman were striving to make Pakistan a truly independent country, where there was rule of law and no one could be subjected to oppression or suppression.

Qaiser went on to say that Punjab was virtually converted into a police state, where even rallies and public gatherings were not allowed.

“You [the ruling alliance] have insulted the mandate of our people. Remember we will not let you sit in peace until we take back the stolen mandate,” he vowed.

“I will ask my party leadership that by-elections are to be held and it should announce the schedule for public gatherings in Punjab instantly.”

PTI Senator Walid Iqbal said he had joined the PTI because Imran was an incorruptible and uncompromising leader.

He further noted that the Quaid-e-Azam was a great advocate of women’s political participation. He added that Imran had accomplished that dream by showing their practical participation in the February 8 general elections.

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PTI MNA Shehryar Afridi said Imran was the “chosen one”, who would not reach any comprise under any circumstances despite enduring all the difficulties.

 “Let’s join and unite to prove to the entire globe that Pakistan is a reality and Imran Khan is a reality and Imran Khan and Pakistan are one body and one soul.”

Party leader Ali Muhammad Khan said that the resolution of the country meant “freedom”, but he raised the question that whether or not they deserved to celebrate Pakistan Day as their leaders and women were languishing in jails.

PTI leader Seemabia Tahir maintained that Imran was in jail but not ready to compromise on true independence as he did not seek an NRO and stood like a rock on his principled stance to make a Pakistan a truly independent state.

PTI Senator Faisal Javed demanded that their first demand was to release Imran, his wife Bushra Bibi, as well as the party leadership including women and activists “unlawfully” imprisoned in various jails because the nation gave its verdict in favour of his party despite all adversarial circumstances.

In a special message from Adiala Jail, Imran extended his felicitations to the nation on the occasion of Pakistan Day, emphasising the significance of March 23 as a pivotal moment in the country’s history.

He underscored the day’s commemoration as a testament to the nation’s pledge towards the vision of Pakistan and the establishment of an Islamic welfare state.

The PTI founding chairman emphasised the aspiration of the country’s founders to establish a state grounded in the principles of the rule of law, equality, justice, and democratic values for the Muslims of the Subcontinent.

“On Pakistan Day, we reaffirm our commitment to steering Pakistan towards becoming a democratic state guided by constitutional principles, welfare, and development, in line with the visions and directives of our nation’s founders.”