Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has said that demanding an apology from the PTI founder is unjustified, stressing that apologies should come from those who committed excesses.
In a meeting with senior journalists, Gandapur accused state institutions of abducting PTI workers and forcing loyalty changes, while reiterating that in the national interest all parties must move forward instead of clinging to the past.
He said the PTI founder had already formed a team for negotiations, but former army chief general retired Bajwa ‘betrayed’ him under the guise of talks. Gandapur added that despite showing flexibility, no progress was made, and a judicial commission on May 9 could have paved the way forward. He maintained he still supports dialogue and would urge further flexibility when meeting the PTI founder.
Defending his leader, Gandapur said the PTI founder has denied responsibility for May 9 events, and if anyone owes apologies, it is those who violated sanctity of homes, filed false cases, stole PTI’s mandate, and oppressed its members. "If we owe one apology, they owe a hundred thousand," he remarked.
The KP CM voiced support for the presidential system, arguing it was needed under current circumstances and that the PTI founder, if a candidate, would win a presidential election nationwide.
‘New provinces’
He also backed creating new provinces, saying smaller administrative units improve governance, citing global examples. He criticized ANP’s opposition to Kalabagh Dam, calling their resistance political, and reiterated that the project was vital for Pakistan’s future generations.
‘Kalabagh Dam’
Gandapur said KP would invest in Kalabagh Dam and sacrifice where necessary, adding even international studies deem it essential.
Gandapur revealed that in the Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting, the need for new dams was acknowledged, and he asked the prime minister why Kalabagh Dam was not being discussed. He claimed KP’s proposal for Kalabagh was supported even by PML-N’s Awais Leghari but other provinces refused funding.
He also proposed changing the Benazir Income Support Program, suggesting lump sum payments of Rs500,000 for businesses instead of small installments, a suggestion CCI members agreed upon.
He alleged that 74 out of 77 chairmen in his constituency had their loyalties forcibly switched, and accused JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman of doing politics only for money, citing references from books written by family acquaintances. Gandapur said even PML-N and PPP viewed Maulana as manipulative.
‘PPP negotiates only for power, not democracy’
The CM criticized PPP for negotiating only for power, not democracy, and accused the federal government of depriving KP by shelving projects like the Chashma Right Bank Canal. He insisted the state must come before politics and called for a national dialogue on Kalabagh Dam.
On floods, Gandapur said KP is constructing small dams to mitigate destruction, adding that some at-risk residents refused to relocate despite warnings. He assured that all available resources will be used for rehabilitation of flood victims.
