Naeem Bokhari, a distinguished lawyer and television host, has officially joined the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) following a meeting with the party’s leader, Imran Khan, in Islamabad.
The meeting, which took place at Bokhari’s residence just before Iftar, led to Bokhari’s announcement of his decision to join PTI in the presence of the media.
During the interaction with reporters, Imran Khan, acknowledging Bokhari as an old friend, appreciated his support during fundraising efforts for the party, even before Bokhari became a member. Khan expressed gratitude towards Bokhari and anticipated his contribution to PTI’s ongoing campaign against corruption.
Bokhari affirmed his allegiance to Imran Khan, stating, “I am always Imran Khan’s soldier.” He further highlighted Khan’s awareness and concern for the plight of the impoverished in Pakistan, setting him apart from other politicians.
Bokhari, a senior advocate of the Supreme Court and a well-known television personality has been a prominent figure in the legal community. In 2007, he gained attention for writing an “open letter” to then-President Pervez Musharraf, in which he criticized the conduct of the former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, accusing him of judicial overreach and warning of potential unrest if changes were not made.
This letter and Bokhari’s outspoken stance led to a significant backlash within the legal community. During a subsequent incident, he was physically assaulted by a group of lawyers, resulting in his black coat being torn and his lawyer’s license being suspended by The Punjab Bar Council (PBC). The altercation, which saw Bokhari targeted with stones, tomatoes, and eggs, also resulted in injuries to two policemen and five lawyers. Bokhari was ultimately escorted to safety by a sizable police force.
