Peshawar (The COW News Digital) Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had not made any special preparations for the long march.
Speaking to Geo News, Gandapur said the repeated change in the long march date had weakened the party. He added that increasing pressure on the federal government could eventually lead it to accept the party’s demands.
Gandapur also alleged that the absence of effective authority of the provincial chief minister had created difficulties for ministers, lawmakers and party workers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to him, political workers and members of the provincial government were being arrested or taken into custody.
The former chief minister further said that he could become chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa again if PTI founder Imran Khan directed him to do so. Gandapur said he had previously stepped down from the chief minister’s office on the instructions of the PTI founder.
He maintained that negotiations with the government were a matter for the party’s decision-makers, indicating that such discussions should be handled by the relevant leadership.
Gandapur also spoke about his previous participation in protests and claimed that, despite obstacles and resistance, he had managed to reach Islamabad three times during protest activities.
His comments come amid continuing political discussions within PTI over its protest strategy, organizational preparations and the timing of its proposed long march.
Gandapur also referred to his recent interaction with current Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, saying that the conversation took place in a cordial atmosphere.
He described PTI as a single political party and said that, as Pashtuns, they value and respect guests who come to their homes.
The former chief minister’s remarks highlight several issues surrounding PTI’s current protest strategy, including the impact of changing the announced date of the long march and the level of preparation among party workers.
Gandapur’s statement that the party had not made special preparations for the march also provides his assessment of PTI’s readiness at the time of his remarks. He did not provide specific details about the scale of preparations or identify particular organizational shortcomings.
His comments regarding the chief minister’s authority also come against the backdrop of continuing political tensions between the federal and provincial governments.
Meanwhile, his reference to potentially returning as chief minister was conditional on receiving instructions from Imran Khan. Gandapur said he had previously left the provincial leadership after being directed to do so by the PTI founder.
The statement adds another perspective to the ongoing political developments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where questions surrounding governance, political protests and relations between the provincial and federal governments remain prominent.
Gandapur’s remarks are likely to draw attention within PTI circles as the party continues to discuss its political strategy and future course of action.
