Gandapur, Kundi exchange light moments

PESHAWAR: Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur met briefly on Friday before the oath-taking ceremony of the Acting Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court Justice SM Atiq Shah at the Governor’s House.

Sources told Geo News, the meeting lasted for 10 minutes and both appeared to be in a pleasant mood.

They said the governor made some remarks directed at the chief minister. Kundi reportedly asked Gandapur: “What is happening in PTI? You have even expelled Sher Afzal Marwat. I feel sorry for him.”

Kundi added, “The chief minister, hasn’t your government staged a protest against itself in Swabi?”

The sources said the chief minister responded with an unusual smile at the governor’s remarks.

It is worth noting that Gandapur and Kundi have had a contentious relationship, marked by public disputes and political rivalry.

Both hail from the southern Dera Ismail Khan district and represent opposing political parties. Gandapur is from PTI and Kundi is from the Pakistan People’s Party.

The tension between the two became evident in May 2024, shortly after Kundi was appointed governor. Gandapur did not attend Kundi’s oath-taking ceremony, signaling his disapproval.

Subsequently, the two exchanged charges and threats. Gandapur later warned that PTI activists would occupy the Governor’s House if there were attempts to impose governor’s rule in KP. In response, Kundi asserted that protecting the Governor’s House was his constitutional duty.

The confrontation escalated with both issuing threats. Gandapur threatened to cut off grants, vehicles, and fuel to the Governor House, while Kundi warned Gandapur to min his language and behavior.

However, despite these conflicts, there have been instances where both leaders met to discuss key provincial issues, including law and order and provincial rights.

In November 2024, they held a meeting at the Governor’s House, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts for lasting peace in the province and strengthening relations with the federal government to drive economic progress.