Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur defiantly refused to apologize for his recent remarks at the Islamabad rally on September 8, asserting, “I owe no apology for any wrongdoing, nor am I a slave to the Punjab government or anyone else.”
Known for his fiery rhetoric, Gandapur drew significant attention at the PTI’s major political event two weeks ago, where he criticized journalists, alleging that a group was “campaigning against the PTI.”
He urged party workers to identify and confront these journalists, leading to widespread condemnation from the media and government officials who called for him to apologize.
In response to demands for an apology following his controversial statements, the district administration set a condition for PTI’s public gathering in Lahore, insisting that Gandapur must publicly retract his comments.
He vehemently rejected this, stating, “Why should I apologize? This request for an apology keeps coming up.”
He challenged those demanding an apology to instead seek forgiveness for the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan and the injustices faced by party workers during peaceful protests.
Gandapur emphasized his independence, declaring, “I’m neither a slave of the Punjab government nor anyone else,” and challenged the government to take legal action against him. He commended the people of Lahore for overcoming fear by successfully holding their rally, despite the Punjab government’s attempt to forcibly shut it down.
Criticizing the authorities for their actions, Gandapur expressed frustration over the implementation of what he described as arbitrary rules surrounding the rally. The PTI event in Lahore was abruptly cut short before many leaders, including Gandapur, could speak, due to a strict deadline imposed by city officials.
Looking ahead, Gandapur announced plans for the party’s next gathering in Mianwali next Sunday, followed by an event in Rawalpindi.
He expressed determination to work towards securing the release of Imran Khan and restoring him as the Prime Minister through a nationwide movement advocating for constitutional supremacy.
