In a video statement issued after he failed to reach Rawalpindi for a protest on Sept. 28, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced he was launching a “revolution,” maintaining there was no longer any other solution to state high-handedness.
Gandapur was meant to lead the protest and had set off from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa with a convoy of thousands as well as substantial state machinery but was stymied by Punjab police, who utilized tear-gas, rubber bullets and baton-charges to prevent his convoy from reaching Rawalpindi. As dusk set in, Gandapur announced it was too late to continue and turned back, frustrating PTI workers, many of whom had been battling police all day to reach Liaquat Bagh for the protest called by PTI founder Imran Khan.
In the immediate aftermath, PTI workers demanded Gandapur’s resignation and refused to disperse, but PTI leader Azam Swati pacified the situation by saying the protest was cancelled on the “orders” of Imran Khan.
Following the outrage, the provincial chief minister issued a video statement maintaining the PTI would no longer show any restraint. “Today, I formally announce revolution as we have no other solution,” he said, stressing this message was for all state institutions and the federal government. “Enough is enough,” he said, adding the party had shown great restraint over the past two years as the “sanctity” of their homes was violated.
Claiming that the Punjab police had fired “countless” tear-gas shells and “bullets” at PTI workers entering Punjab from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, he alleged three PTI workers were shot while 50 others injured due to teargas shelling. While reports of police firing rubber bullets have been confirmed, there is no verifiable evidence of any live gunshots being fired at the protesters.
“In future, [if] someone fires bullets on us, in retaliation they will also receive bullets. If you fire one bullet, then we will fire 10 bullets in response,” threatened Gandapur, adding a “befitting” response would be given for any tear-gas shelling or baton-charges.
“People of KP listen; all the tribal people of erstwhile FATA are supporters of PTI,” he claimed. “Go and hold jirgas in the tribal regions and get united,” he said, indicating if they did not, they could be targeted in future. He claimed this message was not meant as a threat, but rather a “final” warning for state institutions to undertake reforms.
In a message to Punjab police, Gandapur claimed the PTI had “protected” them from angry mobs. He urged them to remember this, while warning that “we also have guns” for potential retaliatory actions.
Government responds
In a statement, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar alleged that Gandapur’s statement made clear that the PTI leader aimed to trigger another situation like that of the May 9, 2023 riots, and occupy Islamabad by force. Slamming the chief minister’s threats to use force, the federal minister described it as an admission of failure in governing his province effectively.
“The chief minister’s threat of firing bullets for bloodshed is a clear manifestation that he is incapable of running the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government. His threats to march on Islamabad and Punjab with force are nothing but an attempt to repeat the May 9,” he said, warning that Gandapur’s transition would verbal abuse to threats of violence would only harm him, not anyone else.
“There is nothing democratic, political, or parliamentary about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf provincial government’s statements, actions, or conduct,” he said, lamenting the PTI had failed to counter the federal and Punjab government’s governance in areas of education, healthcare, employment, or economic improvement. If the PTI truly wants to bring about a revolution, he suggested, it should focus on transforming these sectors for the betterment of the people.
“Corruption and incompetence have reached their peak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The real competition should have been in providing relief to electricity consumers, as the PMLN-led governments did in Islamabad and Punjab,” he said, referring to a subsidy program that has since expired.
In his statement, Tarar claimed the PTI wished to disrupt the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Islamabad. He added that the PTI was “disturbed” by an improvement in economic indicators.