Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur returns to Peshawar after going ‘off the grid’ during a significant crackdown against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership, sources confirmed on Tuesday.
According to party officials, Gandapur had been engaged in extensive discussions regarding provincial security matters in Islamabad following PTI’s recent rally. Shahid Khattak, a PTI member of the National Assembly, clarified that the chief minister’s absence was due to mobile phone jammers at the venue, which cut off communication for several hours.
Amid concerns over Gandapur’s whereabouts, PTI leaders feared that the federal government might have detained him as part of its ongoing clampdown on party members. Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, the CM’s Adviser on Information, had earlier expressed doubts, urging the authorities to reveal whether Gandapur had been taken into custody.
This period of uncertainty followed the arrest of several prominent PTI leaders under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024. Among those arrested were PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan and lawmakers like Sher Afzal Marwat. Police have filed cases against additional PTI members, alleging that rally participants clashed with law enforcement officers, resulting in violence.
Speaking on the situation, Barrister Saif confirmed that contact with Gandapur was restored late at night but that in-depth discussions hadn’t taken place. He accused the government of acting prematurely, claiming that PTI’s rally, scheduled for September 8, was met with arrests starting on September 7. Saif stressed that the party’s ongoing efforts remain part of a democratic struggle, emphasizing the importance of public rallies, meetings, and processions as constitutional rights.
Saif also addressed the controversial remarks made by Gandapur during a recent speech, which had sparked criticism from journalists and women’s rights groups. He acknowledged that the language used was inappropriate and explained that an apology had already been issued by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar. Saif noted that while emotional speeches can sometimes escalate during political gatherings, there are legal frameworks in place to address such issues, urging the government not to overreact.
Concluding his remarks, Saif underscored PTI’s commitment to improving the political climate rather than exacerbating tensions, while warning that the government would bear responsibility for any further deterioration if it continues to obstruct the party’s democratic activities.
