Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has stated that demanding an apology from the PTI founder is unjust, emphasizing that those who committed excesses against the party are the ones who should apologize.
In a meeting with senior journalists, Gandapur accused state institutions of abducting PTI workers and coercing them into changing their political loyalties. He reiterated that for the national interest, all parties should move forward instead of dwelling on the past. He claimed that the PTI founder had already formed a negotiation team, but former army chief General (R) Bajwa had ‘betrayed’ him under the guise of talks. Gandapur added that despite the PTI’s flexibility, no progress was made, and suggested that a judicial commission on the May 9 events could have opened the path forward. He affirmed his continued support for dialogue and said he would urge further flexibility when he meets the PTI founder.
On Accountability and Systemic Change
Defending his leader, Gandapur said the PTI founder has denied responsibility for the May 9 events, and that if anyone owes apologies, it is those who violated the sanctity of homes, filed false cases, stole PTI’s mandate, and oppressed its members. “If we owe one apology, they owe a hundred thousand,” he remarked. The KP CM also voiced support for the presidential system, arguing it is necessary given the current circumstances and that the PTI founder, if a candidate, would win a nationwide presidential election.
He also backed the creation of new provinces, arguing that smaller administrative units lead to better governance and citing global examples. He criticized the ANP’s opposition to the Kalabagh Dam, calling their resistance purely political, and reiterated that the project is vital for Pakistan’s future generations.
Remarks on Kalabagh Dam, CCI, and Other Parties
Gandapur stated that KP would invest in the Kalabagh Dam and make necessary sacrifices, adding that even international studies consider it essential. He revealed that in a Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting, the need for new dams was acknowledged, and he questioned the Prime Minister as to why the Kalabagh Dam was not being discussed. He claimed that KP’s proposal for the dam was supported by even PML-N’s Awais Leghari, but other provinces refused to provide funding.
He also proposed a change to the Benazir Income Support Program, suggesting lump sum payments of Rs500,000 for businesses instead of small installments, a suggestion he claims CCI members agreed upon. He alleged that 74 out of 77 chairmen in his constituency had their loyalties forcibly switched, and accused JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman of doing politics solely for monetary gain, referencing books written by family acquaintances. Gandapur added that even PML-N and PPP considered the Maulana manipulative.
The CM criticized the PPP for negotiating only for power, not for democracy, and accused the federal government of depriving KP by shelving projects like the Chashma Right Bank Canal. He insisted that the state must be prioritized over politics and called for a national dialogue on the Kalabagh Dam. On the topic of floods, Gandapur said KP is constructing small dams to mitigate destruction, noting that some at-risk residents had refused to relocate despite warnings. He assured that all available resources would be used for the rehabilitation of flood victims.
