Gandapur asks Imran to shun peace, warns of taking to streets with ‘guns’

ABBOTTABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Saturday urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to abandon his stance on peace, warning that next time party workers would take to the streets with “guns.”

Addressing a ceremony in Abbottabad, Gandapur, who has previously been absent during the party's federal capital marches, declared, “Imran Khan! For God’s sake, stop advocating for peace. Next time, we will not talk about peace. When we come out with weapons, we will prove who runs away.”

He criticized the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led coalition government, accusing it of fascism that has trampled “the Constitution, law, morality, and humanity.” Gandapur also lashed out at Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and others for their remarks regarding the Islamabad clashes.

While addressing a gathering in Havelian, Gandapur paid tribute to the “victims of November 26 D-Chowk violence,” condemning the actions of law enforcement agencies against PTI protesters. “We are facing tyranny that has violated the Constitution and strangled democracy. We honor those who sacrificed their lives for the cause of truth,” he said, vowing to fight for the party’s constitutional rights and claiming the sacrifices of those “martyred” at D-Chowk would not be in vain.

During his visit, Gandapur inaugurated a Rs4.64 billion water supply scheme and announced several development projects for Havelian. These include:

• Upgrading 10 primary schools and a hospital
• Construction of a bypass road
• Establishment of 10 tubewells, 200 pressure pumps, and five basic health units
• Development of sports grounds, parks, community centers, and road infrastructure
• Allocating funds for a degree college building and land for a cemetery

The water supply scheme, supported by Korean assistance, is set to be completed in two years and will provide 250,000 gallons of water daily to urban and rural Havelian, benefiting approximately 94,000 residents. Additionally, Gandapur announced upgrades to Saji Kot Waterfall Road and Sherwan Road as part of broader infrastructure projects.

Meanwhile, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar criticized Gandapur’s statements, accusing PTI of promoting unrest and chaos. “None of the PTI protests have ever been peaceful. They always want to create disorder in the country,” he remarked.

Tarar alleged that PTI protests involve armed groups, including illegal Afghan citizens, with the intent to harm the state. Referring to previous incidents, he said, “The armed groups of the PTI attacked the federation last time with modern weapons, stun guns, teargas shells, and grenades. Gandapur’s guards were also seen firing.”

He recalled the violence of May 9 and November 26, terming them “darkest days in the country’s history,” and criticized PTI’s leadership for disregarding lives and property. “The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have rejected PTI’s calls before and will reject them again,” Tarar asserted.