ABBOTTABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has called on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan to stop advocating for peace and issued a stern warning that the party’s next move could involve taking to the streets with “guns.”
Addressing a gathering in Abbottabad on Saturday, Gandapur, known for his fiery rhetoric, told Imran Khan: “Imran Khan, for God’s sake, stop advocating for peace. Next time, we will not talk about peace. If we take to the streets, we will show who runs away when we come out with weapons.”
His remarks came as the imprisoned PTI leader threatened to launch a civil disobedience campaign starting December 16 if the government did not meet his demands, which include a judicial inquiry into the crackdown on protesters in November. The former prime minister also announced the formation of a five-member negotiation committee, including Gandapur, to engage in talks with the ruling party.
The PTI’s key demands include the release of “political prisoners,” the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9, 2023, and the violent crackdown on PTI protesters on November 26.
The PTI’s November protest in Islamabad, aimed at securing Imran Khan’s release, ended abruptly after a government-led crackdown. The party has since claimed that at least 12 of its workers were killed and 1,000 arrested. However, the government has denied using live ammunition, stating that four law enforcement personnel, including three Rangers and one policeman, were killed during the protest.
During his address, Gandapur also took aim at the PML-N-led coalition government, accusing it of fascism and trampling on Pakistan’s Constitution and laws. He specifically criticized Information Minister Atta Tarar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and others for their statements regarding the Islamabad clashes.
“We are not fighting for peace next time; we are fighting against fascism,” Gandapur declared.