Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Tuesday rubbished reports of infighting within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), as he claimed he will quit politics altogether if the federal government can successfully topple the provincial government through constitutional means.
“No matter how hard they try, our government cannot be brought down through constitutional means,” he claimed in a joint press conference with the PTI’s senior leadership after a meeting of the party in Islamabad. “If anyone thinks they can topple our government, I challenge them—I will quit politics,” he said.
“Anyone who thinks they can create divisions within PTI is mistaken,” he said, maintaining the meeting had conveyed a clear message of unity within the party. “Our authority and this [KP] government are the custody of Imran Khan,” he reiterated. “Whenever he gives the order, the government can be dissolved,” he said.
The KP chief minister reiterated allegations of the PTI’s mandate being stolen and termed the 26th Constitutional Amendment an “attack on the judiciary” and a “blot on Pakistan’s judicial and democratic systems.” He also reiterated allegations of the establishment using the May 9 riots as pretext to sideline Imran Khan from politics.
Referring to his own detention, Gandapur alleged he was moved across Pakistan and directed to quit the PTI. “Our mandate was first stolen, and then our reserved seats were snatched,” he said, referring to the recent Supreme Court ruling.
On unrest in Parachinar, he said it was an inherited problem for the party that has been in power for 12 years, adding all roads were open for the past four months. “Talk to your neighbors [Afghanistan], change your policy. A neighboring country has defeated global powers, this border is not safe,” he said.
PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan maintained PTI Patron-in-Chief Imran Khan had always called for dialogue—though failed to specify this only applies to the establishment and not his political opponents. “We reviewed the letter concerning negotiations with detained leaders [sent by detained leaders of PTI]. He [Khan] has always emphasized meaningful dialogue. Anyone eager to bring a no-confidence motion is welcome to try. Every plan will be executed only on the PTI founder’s instructions,” he said.
Gohar stressed the goal of the meeting was to demonstrate unity. “After these developments, our seats were snatched. References were sent against our MNAs and punishments were imposed. When we requested meetings on KP’s budget [with Khan], they were denied,” he said. “We will defend the KP government at all costs. Those wanting to bring a no-confidence motion lack the numbers. PTI’s government stands and will continue. If there are to be negotiations, concrete steps must be taken,” he added.
PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja, meanwhile, said the Feb. 8 general elections had proven the people’s desires. “This is not a political war but a fight for rights. We will fight the PTI founder’s war and victory will be ours,” he claimed.
PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram demanded a judicial commission from Chief Justice Yahya Afridi to probe the deaths of PTI workers following their release. “Many were released after 10 or 11 months in jail—and most came out sick,” he claimed.