Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur admitted that mistrust between the establishment and PTI founder Imran Khan is rooted in past incidents.
Speaking at an Ali Amin Gandapur press conference in Islamabad, he disclosed that while he once initiated negotiations, the process was later abandoned.
"A time will come when everyone will realise that sitting together for the country’s sake is unavoidable," he said, stressing the need for reconciliation across political divides.
Imran Khan, the 71-year-old former prime minister, has been in jail since August 2023, facing multiple cases ranging from corruption to terrorism after his ouster in April 2022. Gandapur revealed he has not been allowed to meet Khan since April 2 but said he would urge him to open dialogue with other political parties if given the chance.
Read More: Five Indian-backed terrorists killed in Bannu operation
Calling for an end to political bitterness, Gandapur argued that progress could only be achieved if all sides moved beyond ego and demands for apologies. He maintained that it was the establishment, not PTI, that should apologise for “stealing the mandate and filing false cases.”
Reflecting on past negotiations, he admitted that he had served as a messenger between Khan and the establishment but avoided sharing specific offers. "Sometimes you are pushed to the front to take action, sometimes we are,” he remarked, hinting at controversial moves dating back to 2018.
The KP chief minister dismissed JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman as irrelevant, accusing him of using governments for personal gain. He also emphasised that the army had not interfered in his administrative affairs and reiterated PTI’s stance that every institution must operate within constitutional boundaries.
At the Ali Amin Gandapur press conference, he further highlighted flaws in the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), proposing reforms to make families financially self-reliant instead of permanently dependent on aid. Gandapur suggested that with proper allocation, KP could help citizens start businesses worth Rs500,000 each.
Also Read: China and Pakistan vow to deepen their all-weather strategic alliance
Commenting on PTI’s political vision, Gandapur said Imran Khan supports a presidential system, believing PTI would secure a “clean sweep” under such governance. He also unveiled development plans, including the construction of two dams in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Reiterating his firm support for the controversial Kalabagh Dam, Gandapur called it vital for Pakistan’s water and energy future. He urged a national dialogue to address provincial concerns and insisted that smaller dams could not serve as an alternative.
“Pakistan needs the Kalabagh Dam. This should be viewed in the interest of the state, not politics,” he said, urging media and leadership to build consensus on the matter.
