KP budget passed to avert constitutional crisis: Gandapur

ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Thursday strongly defended the passage of the provincial budget, stating it was done to avert a constitutional crisis and foil a conspiracy. 

Speaking to the media alongside Senate Opposition Leader Syed Shibli Faraz and National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan outside the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, he said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Patron-in-Chief Imran Khan had the right to provide input before the budget’s approval.

However, he clarified that the matter with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) remains unresolved, adding, “We will take a decision after looking at our situation and that of the province. The IMF programme is coming now we will also have the same attitude.”

Gandapur announced they would not attend any financial meetings and allow fiscal issues to escalate. “Then I will tell them that the meeting is not needed, the PTI founder should make a statement,” he said.

He insisted a meeting with the party leadership must occur, condemning the current denial as unconstitutional. “This method is wrong… the Constitution must be respected, but it is being trampled.” He further claimed the rule of law was being violated across the country.

Regarding his attempt to meet Imran Khan, he explained they arrived as per court orders after securing their names on the party list. “We were told we were stopped under the pretext of protecting rights, as if we were terrorists,” he remarked about being barred by jail authorities. “…then they say I am talking tough—you tell me what option I have? If you shoot us, tell us what we should do next? This is your wish, then your wish will be fulfilled,” he asserted.

“We also went to the Supreme Court and the high court; I have said many times that I was not allowed to meet the PTI founder for two months. The question is for Maryam Nawaz — your government is in Punjab, are you not allowing me to meet (my leader)?” he asked. As chief minister, he maintained his right to visit the jail and meet any prisoner.

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub said they would remain outside the jail until the allotted meeting time expired, asking, “What should we do, storm here and revolt?”

He stated the party founder wished to consult the economic team regarding the KP budget, prompting their visit. Omar Ayub was among the five members Imran Khan sought to meet for budget revisions.

Separately, KP Finance Advisor Muzammil Aslam told reporters in Rawalpindi that the budget would be amended per the PTI founder’s directives, even if it required complete revision. “If he says so, the entire budget will be scrapped. If needed, it will be changed ten times,” he said.

Aslam revealed he met Imran Khan a week before the budget presentation, which adhered to constitutional timelines. “There are many components in the budget—salary and non-salary expenditures. If funds aren’t released, how will we manage affairs?” he asked. “Salaries must be paid on the first of the month. If this continues, how will we fulfill obligations? We have presented a temporary budget. If changes are needed, we will revise it ten times. We have presented a surplus budget, and we own it,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, veteran politician Javed Hashmi said that no one can sideline Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from the country’s politics. Speaking to the media in Rawalpindi, he said, “I have come to Adiala jail to express solidarity with the PTI founder, but when I arrived, police were deployed to block access.”

He stated that he believed Imran’s stance is correct, emphasizing that the country can only function properly if the Constitution is upheld. In Pakistan, the people in power want to control everything. The PTI founder is not demanding his release, adding, he is demanding the rule of law. Javed Hashmi said the current government lacks real authority.

“There are hardly any real political figures left in the country. Which party can truly be called a political party now? Anyone who does not talk about the Constitution and democracy is not doing politics. The PTI founder simply cannot be removed from politics.”