Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has fiercely criticized the federal government amid growing speculation about the potential imposition of governor’s rule in the province. Speaking to the media in Peshawar, Gandapur stated that no measure, including governor’s rule or a state of emergency, would stop Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from continuing its political struggle. “Do whatever you want, governor’s rule or emergency, it will not stop us,” he said.
His remarks come after Rana Sanaullah, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs, confirmed that the federal cabinet had discussed the possibility of imposing governor’s rule in KP due to ongoing protests organized by PTI, but no decision was made and the matter was postponed for further talks.
Sanaullah revealed that federal minister Amir Muqam had proposed this move, citing concerns about the use of provincial resources for protests that led to violent clashes and marches on Islamabad. The KP chief minister has been at the forefront of PTI’s protests, calling for the release of political prisoners, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been in custody for over a year.
Gandapur also condemned the use of force against PTI protesters, who had gathered to demand Khan’s release, claiming that peaceful demonstrators were shot at. He referred to incidents where gunfire was directed at protesters in multiple locations, including Chungi No 26 and D-Chowk in Islamabad. Gandapur reiterated the need for a revolution, demanding the immediate release of Imran Khan, to “save our generations.”
This statement comes amid reports of a crackdown in Islamabad, where PTI claims that nearly 1,000 of its supporters were arrested and several protesters were shot, with conflicting reports on casualties. The government, however, denies that there was any direct firing and has disputed the claim of fatalities.
