KP CM vows to teach a lesson to ‘conspirators’ within PTI

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Thursday vowed to teach a lesson to those hatching conspiracies within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

“Those colleagues conspiring with the party should know that Shakeel Ahmad was removed from the ministry on the recommendations of the committee constituted by Imran Khan. The conspirators will be taught a lesson they will never forget,” he said while talking to the media at the Peshawar High Court after turning up there to obtain a transit bail.

Shakeel Ahmad who was the minister for Communication and Works was sacked recently. He had reacted sharply after losing the ministry and announced to reveal facts during the KP Assembly.

The chief minister said the KP cabinet was being reshuffled based on the performance of the ministers. “All the changes are being made with the approval of Imran Khan,” he added.

Gandapur said Shakeel Ahmad was sacked by the committee formed by Imran Khan. “The committee gave me suggestions based on the corruption proofs against him. I decided in light of those suggestions,” he added.

The chief minister hit out at Governor Faisal Karim Kundi for his recent statements against him. “I ousted him from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad and Nathiagali. He is forcing me to expel him from the Governor’s House,” said Gandapur while terming Kundi a worthless man.

Gandapur said the Kundi was holding a constitutional office but was indulging in activities that did not suit his office. “He is still behaving as the information secretary of the Pakistan People’s Party and leveling baseless allegations against me. I have decided to move court against him,” said the chief minister.

He vowed to hold the PTI public meeting in the federal capital on September 8 as per schedule. “I have told the PTI founder that the public meeting will not be postponed now, come what may,” said the chief minister who was criticized by his own party workers in the recent past for postponing the meeting at the eleventh hour which was scheduled at the Tarnol town of Islamabad.

Defending the postponement of the previous public meeting, he said Imran Khan had himself taken that decision and there were reasons for that. “When I met Imran Khan later, I told him that I would lead the public meeting this time. I will not accept any message for postponement of the public meeting,” he added.

The chief minister complained that fake cases had been instituted against the PTI leaders and workers. “Excesses are being committed against us but nobody can cow down us. They [the federal government] are violating the law. But we are struggling for the rule of law and continue to stand by Imran Khan in his quest for real freedom,” he argued.

Gandapur blamed the federal government for the poor economic conditions in the country. “People need relief, jobs and livelihood opportunities for which we are working,” he added.