KP CM Gandapur
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has reiterated that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will only engage in negotiations with individuals who hold actual power, reaffirming the party’s stance against symbolic or superficial dialogues.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Gandapur stated that PTI’s founder has made it clear that any potential talks must be held directly with the country’s real decision-makers.
He stressed that while PTI acknowledges its past mistakes and is willing to face any legal consequences, the party’s tolerance should not be misinterpreted as weakness. “We are not afraid of accountability, but let no one take our patience for a lack of strength,” he said.
Gandapur also issued a firm warning, declaring that PTI’s political movement is already underway. “Government or no government, a decisive outcome will emerge within the next 90 days,” he asserted, hinting at major developments on the horizon.
Clarifying recent speculation, Gandapur explained that August 5 is not a deadline but a date on which PTI will unveil its future strategy. He said the party will decide on whether to continue its political path or adopt a new course of action.
Dismissing any rumors of secret negotiations or hidden deals, he emphasized PTI’s commitment to transparency. “We don’t hold secret meetings,” he said. “When we apply for permission to hold a rally in Lahore, we will also provide a guarantee that there will be no violence or vandalism.”
Highlighting the party’s resilience, Gandapur said the PTI founder has always stood for the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law. Despite what he described as “fascist tactics” employed against the party, he claimed that PTI has survived relentless state repression. “No political party in the world has endured the kind of crackdown that PTI has faced, yet we continue to stand firm,” he remarked.
In a direct challenge to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who has questioned the legitimacy of PTI’s mandate, Gandapur proposed an electoral face-off. “Let him contest elections against my brother. If he wins, I will leave politics. If not, he should,” Gandapur dared.
Joining Gandapur at the press conference, PTI’s central general secretary Salman Akram Raja emphasized the central role of the party’s founder in Pakistan’s political future. He said that the founder’s release is essential not only for the PTI but for the judiciary, the state, and the people of Pakistan. “Under his leadership, we are not just seeking power — we are preparing to rewrite the nation’s history,” Raja said.
