Ali Amin Gandapur, a former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chief minister and a leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has publicly rejected remarks made by the party’s Secretary General, Salman Akram Raja. In a strongly worded statement, Gandapur said lawmakers from the province need no “loyalty certificates” from anyone, and he called Raja’s recent remarks regrettable, irresponsible and damaging to PTI’s internal unity. He also asked Raja to back his allegations with evidence.
What Ali Amin Gandapur said
Gandapur said the party belongs to its founder, Imran Khan, and that loyalty should be judged by years of struggle, sacrifice and practical contribution rather than by the preferences of a few individuals. He objected to Raja’s mention of “undemocratic decision-makers” and an alleged conspiracy by a group, and he asked Raja to say who was meant. “If you have evidence, name them,” he said.
Gandapur also questioned Raja’s claim that a group had cut contact with the team of chief minister Sohail Afridi, an allegation that Raja linked to emergency and governor’s rule. Gandapur asked for the basis of what he called a serious allegation. He also asked which lawmakers were accused of trying to decide the provincial president or the next chief minister without the approval of Imran Khan or the political committee.
Questions over the investigation and KP leadership
Gandapur challenged Raja’s reference to an investigation. He asked who had ordered it and under which authorised forum it was being carried out. “If an investigation is under way, why does the party not know about it?” he asked.
On the provincial leadership, Gandapur referred to PTI KP President Junaid Akbar as “our brother” and said the party was praying for his early recovery. He also questioned the reported appointment of Ali Asghar Khan as acting provincial president during Akbar’s absence. He asked where the formal notification was and who had the authority to make the appointment.
Gandapur’s case on KP workers
Gandapur said KP had always stood with Imran Khan. He said the province’s workers and elected representatives had faced arrests, violence and severe hardship after May 9 without abandoning their leader or the party’s ideology. The same workers and lawmakers, he said, won the 2024 elections, defended their mandate and kept the party flag flying.
He also questioned the role of some central office-bearers during repeated marches toward Islamabad, saying their practical contribution on difficult occasions had not met workers’ expectations. “That too should be accounted for before the party,” he said. Raja’s full remarks and any reply from him had not been confirmed when this article was prepared. The investigation and the acting appointment were raised by Gandapur as questions, not as confirmed facts.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Ali Amin Gandapur ne Salman Akram Raja ke bayanat par etraz kiya aur kaha ke KP ke lawmakers ko kisi se wafadari ka certificate lene ki zaroorat nahi. Unhon ne Raja se kaha ke jin logon par saazish ka ilzaam hai, unke naam bataye jayein. Aam shehri ke liye is waqt iska seedha asar nahi hai, lekin yeh jhagra party ki qiyadat aur KP ke faislon par asar daal sakta hai. Dono taraf ke daave abhi tasdeeq shuda nahi hain.
