Following strong backlash from both allies and opponents over his “mysterious disappearance” during a recent PTI protest in Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur reaffirmed his loyalty to party founder Imran Khan and denounced those he called hypocrites.
“May Allah destroy those who are disloyal to PTI, its ideology, and Imran Khan, along with their families. Don’t believe their claims. The government is afraid of your unity and passion,” Gandapur said while addressing members of the provincial assembly.
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In response to criticism from PTI members over his absence, Gandapur refrained from asking for apologies, calling those who criticized him “brothers.” He emphasized that he was there for those with reservations but urged party members not to fall prey to conspiracies led by hypocrites. He called on lawmakers and party workers to remain united in the ongoing struggle for the Constitution, judicial independence, and the release of Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated.
The controversy over Gandapur’s disappearance during the protest has persisted, with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif branding him a “swindler” and noting that even PTI workers had criticized the chief minister on social media. However, Gandapur’s adviser, Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, denied any deal between Gandapur and the institutions, stating that the CM had stayed inside KP House throughout the protest.
Saif added that those who made deals were in power due to rigged elections, referring to Form 47 and the PTI’s long-standing allegations of election fraud in the February 8 polls.
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Gandapur reiterated the PTI’s stance, quoting Imran Khan that the party has no anti-army agenda nor a dispute with the military. He then detailed his experience during the protest, saying that he was inside KP House in Islamabad to plan the next moves. According to Gandapur, police and Rangers raided the premises multiple times, mistreating both party workers and KP House security staff, including the deputy superintendent of police (DSP).
Gandapur explained that he spent four hours at the house, waiting for instructions from Imran Khan, before his convoy’s vehicles were destroyed by law enforcement. He then arranged a car, escaped via the motorway, and arrived safely at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar.
His whereabouts had remained unknown for over 30 hours following the PTI protest, which took place despite the enforcement of Section 144 in Islamabad to prevent political activities. The PTI has been staging protests to demand the judiciary’s independence and the release of its founder, Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail for over a year.
