The office of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Sunday issued a firm denial of reports attributing remarks to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, in which the latter allegedly urged Gandapur to resign if he fails to restore peace in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).
A spokesperson for the CM reaffirmed the provincial government’s allegiance to the PTI founder, stating, “Whenever Imran Khan desires, Chief Minister Gandapur will step down”. However, he insisted that there is no authoritative source confirming that Imran issued any such directive regarding resignation.
The rebuttal comes a day after media reports claimed Imran urged Gandapur to resign over perceived failures in governance, and law and order. These reports suggested the former prime minister believes someone else should be given a chance to lead the province.
Read: Gandapur hosts first peace jirga with tribal elders
The K-P government reiterated that the provincial administration represents Imran Khan’s political vision. “We are guided by his trust,” the spokesperson said, noting that Gandapur has publicly described his position in the K-P government as “a trust bestowed by Imran”.
Despite his leadership post, Gandapur has reportedly been unable to meet Imran, who is currently incarcerated at Adiala Jail. The spokesperson attributed that to the lack of enforcement of court-ordered visitation rights.
On jirgas and military operation
Highlighting government initiatives, the spokesperson underscored the launch of regional tribal jirgas aimed at combating terrorism and restoring stability in the province. These jirgas form part of a broader, community-led strategy for improving law and order.
A day earlier, the provincial government had initiated a series of regional jirgas aimed at restoring peace in the tribal districts. During the first jirga, held at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, participants urged the federal government to facilitate a delegation comprising representatives from the K-P government and tribal elders to engage in dialogue with Afghanistan.
Chaired by CM Gandapur, the jirga unanimously stated that military operations and the displacement of local populations were unacceptable under any circumstances.
The tribal elders presented several key recommendations during the meeting. They emphasised that restoring peace was essential for any meaningful development, noting that stability would accelerate progress across the region. They also made it clear that no individual or group had demanded — nor been granted — control over the province’s mineral resources or any other assets, reaffirming their collective resolve to safeguard local resources.
