Did Gandapur and Maryam Nawaz clash at the Apex Committee meeting?

ISLAMABAD: During a Central Apex Committee meeting held in the federal capital on Tuesday, a key participant advised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to refrain from organizing protest rallies from KP to Punjab, warning that such actions could strain inter-provincial harmony.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz raised concerns about Gandapur’s frequent rallies from Peshawar to Islamabad, describing them as disruptive and likening them to “an assault.” She highlighted the loss of life and property often resulting from these protests.

In response, Gandapur addressed the challenges faced by the PTI, particularly in Punjab. He expressed frustration over the continued imprisonment of PTI founder Imran Khan, stating, “Our leader is in jail, our workers are being persecuted,” and underscored the hardships the party has endured.

The source, who attended the meeting, noted that while Maryam’s remarks were pointed, Gandapur remained composed and avoided escalating the discussion. Despite his public image of being confrontational, Gandapur’s calm demeanor surprised many, which the source speculated might be due to his proximity to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during the meeting. The source hinted at possible behind-the-scenes dynamics between Gandapur and Naqvi but confirmed that no dialogue about PTI-government negotiations or involvement of the establishment was discussed.

The Apex Committee member’s advice to Gandapur was clear: mobilizing PTI supporters from within Punjab for protests would be more prudent than bringing rallies from KP, as it would preserve inter-provincial goodwill.

The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, included top military and intelligence officials, provincial chief ministers, and key federal ministers, making it a significant gathering to address national political and security issues.