PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has categorically rejected reports suggesting that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has asked him to resign.
Addressing the speculation, Gandapur reaffirmed his loyalty to the party and its jailed leader, stating that he continues to serve as chief minister with the founder’s full confidence and mandate.
“I am here because the PTI founder trusts me. This government is a continuation of his vision, and the mandate belongs to the party,” Gandapur said in a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday.
His clarification comes a day after sources claimed that Imran Khan, during a reported conversation from prison, expressed dissatisfaction over the law and order situation in KP and allegedly suggested Gandapur should resign if peace could not be restored. “If Ali Amin Gandapur cannot restore peace, he should step down,” the sources quoted Khan as saying.
The KP Chief Minister’s spokesperson also firmly denied receiving any such directive from the party founder. “There is no verified or credible communication from Imran Khan suggesting Gandapur should resign,” the spokesperson, Faraz Mughal, told the media. He reiterated that Gandapur’s leadership reflects the vision and direction of PTI’s founder, and that the CM would willingly step down if explicitly asked to by Imran.
Mughal further criticized the ongoing restrictions that prevent Gandapur from meeting the PTI founder, despite court orders allowing such interaction. “It is unfortunate that the chief minister has been unable to see his leader in Adiala Jail. This defies legal norms and violates constitutional rights,” he stated.
Addressing the security situation in KP, Gandapur’s team noted several administrative initiatives, including the launch of tribal jirgas at the regional level aimed at countering terrorism and restoring law and order. These efforts, they said, prove that the provincial government is actively addressing security concerns.
In a separate statement, Gandapur also brushed aside rumors that Imran Khan is planning to leave Pakistan. “These are completely baseless speculations. Imran Khan has never expressed any desire or intention to go abroad,” he asserted. He accused political opponents of fueling these rumors to disrupt PTI’s momentum and damage public morale. “These narratives are a part of our adversaries’ propaganda. The ones spreading these lies do not stand with the PTI founder but with those trying to dismantle his movement,” he added.
Speaking on broader policy, Gandapur emphasized the need for diplomacy and dialogue to resolve internal and regional challenges. “Military operations are not sustainable solutions. We’ve tried that before. What we need now is negotiations—particularly with Afghanistan—to bring long-term stability,” he stressed.
Gandapur also highlighted the importance of rebuilding trust between the state and the people. “Without public confidence in state institutions, we cannot move forward. We need transparency and sincere dialogue to prevent minor issues from escalating into crises,” he warned.
He concluded by reaffirming that the KP government remains united and aligned with the mission and principles of PTI’s founding chairman.
