ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has reportedly intensified behind-the-scenes efforts to seek delays in major court proceedings involving party founder Imran Khan and his sister Aleema Khan, according to sources. The reported strategy has also sparked differences of opinion within the party.

Sources said Barrister Gohar contacted Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, and Senator Raja Nasir Abbas, the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, requesting that they use their respective political channels to seek what PTI describes as “more time” in the ongoing legal proceedings.

According to the sources, Achakzai was asked to establish contact with Rana Sanaullah, while Senator Raja Nasir Abbas is reportedly already in communication with a federal minister who is considered close to the establishment.

The objective, sources claimed, is to persuade the government not to push for the swift conclusion of two significant cases: Imran Khan’s appeal in the Al-Qadir Trust case before the Islamabad High Court, and Aleema Khan’s trial in the Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi.

Sources said PTI’s immediate concern is the case against Aleema Khan related to the November 26 violence, which they believe has reached its final stages. The party reportedly fears that a conviction could result in her imprisonment, adding to its existing legal and political challenges.

Imran Khan remains incarcerated, while his wife Bushra Bibi and some of his relatives are also in custody.

According to the sources, some PTI leaders believe that if Aleema Khan is sentenced at this stage, it could negatively affect party morale and create additional political and organizational difficulties.

The party is also reportedly seeking a delay in the hearing of appeals against the convictions of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in the Al-Qadir Trust case, also known as the £190 million case, before the Islamabad High Court.

Sources said PTI strategists believe that delaying the appellate proceedings would be preferable to risking an unfavorable judgment from either the Islamabad High Court or the Anti-Terrorism Court.

Party leaders are reportedly concerned that if the Islamabad High Court upholds the convictions, their legal options could become significantly more limited before the matter reaches the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court. The Islamabad High Court has previously declined to suspend the sentences or grant bail to Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in the case.

While PTI expects the matter to eventually reach the Constitutional Bench, sources said some within the party believe postponing an immediate appellate decision would provide greater political and legal flexibility.

However, the reported strategy has not received unanimous support within PTI.

According to the sources, one group within the party believes that seeking delays through political contacts sends the wrong message and contradicts PTI’s public stance that it is contesting its cases solely through the courts.

Sources also claimed that Aleema Khan herself is not fully satisfied with the reported approach. They suggested that the alleged efforts may have contributed to the postponement of her trial until August 12, instead of concluding next week.

The sources further said Aleema Khan has made it clear that, even if convicted, she is prepared to face imprisonment and the legal consequences through due process rather than seek delays through political arrangements.

When contacted, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan declined to comment on the reported strategy or the pending court cases.