KP CM warns Punjab police

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Monday issued a stern warning to the Punjab police, stating that further violence against the workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would not be tolerated.

Speaking to the media outside the Peshawar High Court, he said the PTI was fighting for constitutional supremacy, the rule of law, and democracy, adding that no force could deter them from achieving these objectives.

Gandapur expressed concern over the alleged mistreatment of PTI workers by the Punjab police and accused the federal government of misusing the police force. The chief minister called for reforms to ensure that no police officer was forced to carry out “unlawful orders”.

He said, “We are amending the law so that if the chief minister gives an unlawful order, police officers can refuse to comply with them, and such officers will be rewarded.”

The chief minister criticized the Punjab government for denying PTI permission to hold rallies, claiming that despite being a peaceful movement, their right to protest was being suppressed. “Our peaceful protests are met with teargas and bullets. These tactics cannot deter us from our cause,” he said.

Commenting on the recent statement made by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, he believed that the Maulana had admitted that the PTI government was ousted due to the US pressure. He urged the JUIF leader to disclose more information to the nation.

The chief minister took a jab at Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz after accusing her of having double standards. He questioned why PTI women leaders were jailed while others were allowed to hold rallies. “There cannot be two sets of laws in one country,” he said.

Gandapur claimed that he used his own resources, including machinery, to remove roadblocks during protests. “I am the elected chief minister, and no one can stop me,” he said.

He declared that his government would continue the struggle until PTI’s objectives were achieved and vowed to push forward with their fight for justice, regardless of the challenges. The chief minister criticized the federal government as well, calling it undemocratic and accusing it of destroying democratic values.

“This government came into power through undemocratic means, and it is continuously taking steps that are eroding democracy,” he claimed. Gandapur said: “Our struggle will continue until we achieve our goals. No force can stop”.