RAWALPINDI: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Monday met with the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. The meeting, which lasted over two hours, centered on the content of a recent PTI rally held in Peshawar and political issues.
According to jail sources, CM Gandapur arrived at the jail around 9am. He was escorted to the jail’s conference room where he provided the PTI founder with a detailed briefing on the public meeting held last Saturday, September 27. The discussion reportedly focused on the key points of Gandapur’s speech delivered at the rally, suggesting a strategic alignment and review of the party’s messaging. Gandapur’s visit concluded around 11:30am.
Imran expressed his full confidence in the KP chief minister. The meeting also covered law and order, economic policies, Afghanistan talks, and the party’s internal unity. According to KP Advisor on Information Barrister Saif, the CM briefed Imran Khan on the provincial government’s measures to improve law and order and ensure security.
Gandapur also updated him on ongoing talks and coordination with Afghanistan, a matter the PTI founder emphasised as crucial for regional stability.
The meeting also featured an extensive review of KP’s economic situation. Khan expressed satisfaction with the steps taken by the provincial government. Finance Advisor Muzammil Aslam was summoned to provide a detailed update on the budget and was instructed by Imran Khan to move the court over restrictions on meetings with the PTI founder.
Imran made it clear that there is no space within the PTI for those attempting to create rifts. He directed leadership to act firmly against baseless statements and negative propaganda that undermine internal trust.
Barrister Saif added that the KP CM will once again approach the Supreme Court regarding the ban on meetings with Khan, underscoring PTI’s ongoing legal efforts. Meanwhile, addressed the media outside Adiala Jail, Barrister Salman Akram Raja, a legal representative for Imran, said that the PTI founder has issued important instructions that will be detailed during an upcoming parliamentary party meeting.
The PTI founder stressed the responsibility of party officials, stating that it’s up to them to “stand with the people or remain behind.” He clarified that Aleema Khan, his sister, does not directly intervene in party affairs but acts solely as a messenger to convey his instructions. He has made it clear that only designated party officials and leaders are accountable for the party’s operations.
While not expressing general dissatisfaction with the rally itself, the PTI founder raised concerns about its arrangements. He noted that the event’s organisation, including the selection of the venue, could have been better. Specifically, he pointed out that the site was dusty, which he considered unsatisfactory. Regarding an incident where shoes were reportedly shown during the rally, he advised that the party must “move forward by keeping the public with us.”
The PTI founder maintained that his narrative is fundamentally pro-state and based on the Constitution and law, arguing that such a stance can never be considered anti-state. He also denied any knowledge of a specific “anti-state tweet.”
Raja also revealed his client’s deep concerns about the legal proceedings against him. The PTI founder has labeled the ongoing May 9 cases as “WhatsApp trials,” which he believes are a clear violation of his constitutional and legal rights. He has instructed his legal team to raise this issue forcefully in the high court.
In the May 9 GHQ attack case, he claims he is not permitted to consult with his lawyers or cross-examine witnesses. Instead, he says a phone is simply placed in front of him to begin the hearing.
