Gandapur left after closing May 9 chapter for PTI in KP

ISLAMABAD: During his tenure as Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur has resolved almost all the cases registered in the province in connection with the May 9 incidents against PTI founder Imran Khan, party leaders and hundreds of workers.

According to PTI Information Secretary Waqas Akram Shaikh, a total of 319 cases were lodged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against PTI workers in the aftermath of the May 9, 2023 protests. Out of these, 268 cases have been legally concluded with the help of police and prosecution through proper court procedures, ensuring they cannot be reopened as a “blackmail tactic”.

“Gandapur did a wonderful job and rendered a great service to the PTI by getting these politically motivated cases resolved through lawful means,” Shaikh said.

He added that 51 May 9 cases remain under process because of the absence of the accused but are expected to be disposed of soon. Of the 29 cases registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 23 have already been resolved, while six are pending.

Waqas said earlier this month, before his resignation, Gandapur’s cabinet had decided to withdraw all remaining May 9-related cases, the move already confirmed by Advocate General Shah Faisal recently.

The AG is reported to have said that the provincial cabinet had approved the withdrawal of May 9 cases after reviewing the evidence and investigations, which were found to be flawed, insufficient and politically driven.

“These cases were based on weak evidence and amounted to political victimisation. The cabinet’s decision was made to prevent further wastage of administrative resources and time,” the Advocate General said.

It may be recalled that on May 9, 2023, violent protests erupted across Pakistan following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan by paramilitary Rangers. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, demonstrations broke out in Peshawar, Mardan, Mohmand and Khyber, where protesters allegedly targeted military installations.

Subsequently, a large-scale crackdown was launched against PTI leaders and workers, with high number of FIRs registered under anti-terrorism laws and more than 100 workers handed over to military authorities for trial in military courts.