Before choosing Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Imran Khan, the former prime minister and head of the PTI, first extended an offer to Hamid Khan to become the party's chairman. Insider information, however, indicated that Hamid Khan declined the offer because of worries about his health and advanced age.

Rather, he suggested Shah Mahmood Qureshi as the politician who might take the position of the jailed leader. However, because of his imprisonment, Qureshi's candidacy was not accepted. These revelations come to light as the PTI faces legal challenges to guarantee that its intra-party polls comply with the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) regulations.

As per the party's recent announcement, Imran Khan would not be participating in the intra-party polls because of legal restrictions. Gohar was thus proposed as a stopgap measure, leading to conjecture regarding the'minus-Imran formula' amid apparent divisions in the party.

PTI spokesman Shoaib Shaheen confirmed Imran Khan offered Hamid Khan the chairmanship, but Khan turned down the offer, In addition, Shaheen downplayed rumors that party leaders were at odds over Barrister Gohar's nomination, highlighting the party's unity.

It was improper to announce the nomination prior to the Islamabad High Court hearing on Imran Khan's request to have the trial court's ruling in the Toshakhana case suspended. Originally set for Thursday, the IHC division bench has now reserved its decision for the hearing. Senator Ali Zafar announced Barrister Gohar Khan's appointment on Wednesday. As an explanation for not proposing another prominent political figurehead for party chairmanship, Shoaib Shaheen said that they would prefer not to create the appearance that the party has adopted a "minus-one formula."

Hamid Khan acknowledged that he had excused himself from accepting the position of party chairman in the interim.