Imran Khan Defends Gandapur Amid Controversy of Negotiations

Khan expressed his discontent with party members who had publicly apologized for Gandapur's remarks.

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Imran Khan, the founding leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has come out in defense of Ali Amin Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), following a series of controversial remarks that have sparked significant backlash. Speaking informally to journalists at Adiala Jail, Khan dismissed criticisms of Gandapur’s comments, claiming that the Chief Minister was simply articulating the sentiments of the nation.

Khan expressed his discontent with party members who had publicly apologized for Gandapur’s remarks, labeling them as “weak cowards” unfit to remain in PTI. His comments reflect a broader frustration with how some within his party have handled the fallout from Gandapur’s statements.

Further escalating his position, Khan declared that he is severing all ties with the establishment. “From today, I am closing the doors to negotiations with the establishment and any other party,” Khan stated, underscoring his determination to reject any further discussions or deals with what he described as deceptive entities. He highlighted that, despite his earlier allowance for six party leaders to negotiate with the establishment, he never personally obstructed anyone from engaging in dialogue.

Khan also made a point about the September 8 rally, asserting that the establishment had provided both the date and the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the event. Regardless of the permissions or restrictions, PTI remains committed to holding the rally in Lahore on September 21.

In response to allegations from Faisal Vawda regarding involvement in the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif, Khan firmly denied any wrongdoing. He called for a transparent trial to uncover the truth behind the allegations. Khan implied that Vawda’s accusations were politically motivated, stating, “Everyone knows who Faisal Vawda is speaking for.” He added that Vawda had previously sought to arrange a meeting with General Faisal Naseer, further questioning the motives behind the allegations.

Khan expressed his dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs in Pakistan, criticizing the concentration of power and decision-making in the hands of a few. He argued that true democracy and the rule of law are the only solutions to the nation’s problems, emphasizing his lack of knowledge regarding the government’s negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

During his informal chat with journalists, Khan appeared visibly upset by the lack of support from PTI leaders, noting that apart from Barrister Ali Zafar, no other party members had visited him at Adiala Jail.

The controversy surrounding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters. Gandapur’s derogatory remarks about journalists, his language towards his Punjab counterpart Maryam Nawaz, and his attacks on state institutions during a PTI rally in Islamabad have fueled the backlash. At a recent event, Gandapur provocatively stated, “If the founder of PTI is not legally released within one to two weeks, we will have him freed ourselves,” indicating a willingness to defy any obstacles in the rally’s path.

Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar condemned Gandapur’s remarks, labeling them as threats from someone “hollow inside” who had also failed to address rising militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Journalists staged protests in both the Senate and National Assembly in response to Gandapur’s comments, which branded the media as “sellouts” and “brokers.”

In an attempt to mitigate the damage, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan issued an unconditional apology on behalf of Gandapur. He emphasized respect for the journalist community and clarified that the remarks were directed at a few individuals and were part of a political speech. “We have no intention of escalating tensions,” Gohar said, highlighting that the apology was meant to address the hurt caused and that the party had no desire to resort to unlawful actions.

Despite the apology, journalists continued to demand a direct apology from Gandapur himself. Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub, accompanied by Barrister Gohar, visited the media gallery to express regret, but the call for a personal apology from Gandapur remained unmet.