Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has challenged the state, asserting that if it can legally topple his government through constitutional means, he will leave politics if they succeed.
“Don’t do anything unconstitutional — and even through constitutional means, you cannot do anything. Our government, our power, and everything belong to Imran Khan. He can instruct us to topple the government whenever he wishes. Our government cannot be overthrown through constitutional methods.” he said.
Following a meeting of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary party, Gandapur held a joint press conference with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, Salman Akram Raja, and other leaders on Wednesday.
He described the state, often viewed as a “mother,” as behaving tyrannically. “I challenge the state and all its institutions. You attempted conspiracies and failed. You used unconstitutional means and still could not succeed,” he stated.
Gandapur criticised the state’s actions, saying, “You failed in your conspiracies and unconstitutional measures. You imposed martial law and governor’s rule in the past. Now, I challenge your power and authority. Put our people in jail, use all your might, and try to topple the K-P government.”
The CM added that they cannot remove his government through legal and constitutional means because they cannot break his members. “No one has the power to break those who stand with Imran Khan.”
He further stated, “Today’s meeting sends a message to those who think we’re divided. We are fully committed, body and soul, to securing the release of PTI’s founder. I was arrested before May 9. They claim we committed excesses on May 9, but the conspiracy against PTI’s founder began before that.”
Gandapur pointed out that the 26th Constitutional Amendment is an attack on the judiciary, and that PTI will work to reverse it when they return to power.
Regarding a meeting with the incarcerated former PM, he said, “Imran Khan requested a meeting, and it’s our right to meet with him as he is the head of the party. However, I sense that this meeting might not be arranged.”
In response to a question, he said that Imran Khan has never refused to negotiate. “We want to talk to those who truly hold power. Right now, the country is being run with batons, and everyone knows the real worth of the PML-N and PPP.”
Concerning PTI’s future actions, Gandapur announced that the party plans to launch a nationwide political movement after Muharram and will intensify its efforts. He warned, “If bullets are fired at us, the response will be the same, the response will be similar.”
