PESHAWAR: Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has said he left the chief minister’s office on the instructions of PTI founder Imran Khan and would be willing to take up the position again if directed by the party founder.
Speaking to Geo News, Gandapur said political negotiations with the federal government were the responsibility of the relevant decision-makers. He added that increased pressure on the federal government could lead it to consider and accept the opposition’s demands.
Gandapur said his decision to leave the provincial chief minister’s position had been taken in accordance with instructions from Imran Khan. He indicated that he could assume the office again if he received a fresh directive.
In this sense, his statements come amid continuing political discussions within PTI and developments surrounding the leadership and political direction of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
In addition, Gandapur said the party had not made specific preparations for the protest at the time. He also said changing the date of the march had affected the party’s position and momentum.
PTI had initially scheduled the march for September 27 but later postponed it to October 4. KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced the revised date following a meeting of the party’s political committee.
Gandapur also said that despite obstacles and resistance, he had managed to reach Islamabad three times during previous protest activities.
The former chief minister alleged that provincial ministers, members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and party workers were being detained because, in his view, the provincial government’s writ was not being effectively maintained.
He also referred to his own tenure and protest activities, saying that he had remained with party workers despite difficult circumstances.
Gandapur Describes Meeting With Sohail Afridi as Cordial
Gandapur said his meeting with current KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took place in a cordial atmosphere. He emphasised that both belonged to the same political party and shared a Pashtun background, adding that guests were traditionally treated with respect.
He also urged that differences within the party should not be exaggerated and stressed the importance of maintaining communication between party leadership and workers.
Gandapur said party instructions would remain important in determining his future political role and that he would continue to perform his responsibilities in accordance with decisions taken by the PTI leadership.
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His comments come as PTI continues to discuss negotiations with the federal government alongside preparations for the postponed Islamabad march. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has also said the march was postponed to give the government additional time to reconsider its position, while the government has yet to signal a willingness to enter formal negotiations.
