KP CM says Imran not displeased with him

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Sunday dismissed the reports that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) imprisoned founder Imran Khan was displeased with him.

“During my last meeting with PTI’s founder, there was no indication of his displeasure,” he told Geo News. “Of course, I cannot say what is in his heart,” he added. However, he lamented that he was not allowed to meet Imran Khan freely.

The chief minister rejected criticism of his administration, asserting that an unfair narrative was being built against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He challenged representatives from other provincial governments to have a debate with him on governance issues.

Dismissing corruption allegations against his government, he said, “We believe in evidence, not mere statements. A party committee already exists, anyone with proof of corruption should submit it there.”

Addressing reports of rifts in PTI, Gandapur said differences were not a rarity in political parties. “Some members have concerns due to constituency matters, while others are ticket aspirants. Such political maneuvering is normal,” he explained.

The chief minister criticised the federal government after accusing it of withholding KP’s rightful funds. “The federation owes our province over Rs2 trillion,” he claimed, adding that national debt had increased under the current rulers.

He also took aim at Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, accusing her government of being run on TikTok. “Despite hardships, the people of Punjab still support PTI’s founder and his ideology,” he asserted.

The chief minister was particularly critical of certain federal ministers for what he described as their justification of violence against PTI workers in the federal capital on November 26 last year.

“They should be ashamed of how they speak about the masses. Our people were martyred, yet they talk like this. Their statements prove they are not true representatives of the people,” he said, warning that they would soon face the consequences of their actions.

Gandapur insisted that KP’s economy was stable. “Our province currently has a surplus of Rs164 billion, and revenue has increased by 55 percent. In contrast, the Punjab government is running a deficit,” he stated.

He acknowledged that corrupt elements may be present in the system but claimed his administration was controlling them. “The funds we have collected were previously stolen. Before our government, this money was disappearing but now it is going into the treasury. Why couldn’t the previous government increase revenue as we have?” he questioned.

Regarding the PTI-government negotiations, Gandapur stated, “Both sides had formed committees for talks, but we ended the process when our demands were not met. Talks can resume if the government fulfills our conditions.”