Minister releases Gandapur's purported audio leak, claims PTI bringing arms to capital

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Saturday claimed PTI’s long march was aimed at shedding the blood of innocent people in the federal capital.

Addressing a press conference, Sanaullah said that PTI chief Imran Khan wanted to create such a law and order situation that triggers clashes between the people and law enforcement agencies.

He accused Khan of planning to spread chaos in the name of the long march, citing purported leaked audio of Ali Amin Gandapur, who can be heard speaking about bringing ammunition for the long march.

Addressing a press conference, Sanaullah released an audio leak of Gandapur where he can be heard speaking to an unknown person about bringing arms and ammunition.

The interior minister claimed that as per initial investigations details of this conversation have been secured by the ministry, however, he refused to reveal the identity of the unknown person allegedly speaking to the PTI leader.

Ali Amin Gandapur’s conversation with Asad Khan

(Although the interior minister did not specify who the person was, Geo News was able to identify the person as Asad Khan)

Asad Khan: Yes, Ali Khan?

Ali Amin Gandapur: Mr president, what's the position?

Asad Khan: Sir, the position is A-one, you tell me?

Ali Amin Gandapur: How many guns are there?

Asad Khan: There are several.

Ali Amin Gandapur: License?

Asad Khan: There are several licenses also.

Ali Amin Gandapur: Men?

Asad Khan: There will be as many men as required, sir.

Asad Khan: Okay. We are camping here in a nearby colony.

Asad Khan: Yes.

Ali Amin Gandapur: What is the nearest place here at the end here? Which colony is adjacent to it?

Asad Khan: At ours?

Ali Amin Gandapur: At the border… at the border… at the Islamabad-Pindi border.

On the left side of the toll plaza, what place is it? Top city or capital?

Asad Khan: Top is also there, capital is also there, there are several.

Ali Amin Gandapur: Top is at the airport.

Asad Khan: Top is on the airport’s side, right… I sent you the entire map.

Ali Amin Gandapur: I received it, I have it.

You just keep the men and equipment ready there.

Asad Khan: Sir, no problem, Insha’Allah.

Ali Amin Gandapur: Just [stay] in contact then, Insha’Allah.

Asad Khan: Okay sir, Insha’Allah.

Terming Khan’s attitude “undemocratic”, the interior minister — while addressing a press conference in the federal capital — said the intentions of the PTI chief are not good. “We have been saying this that Imran Khan fitna wants to mislead the nation.”

“Khan wants people to die instead of holding a long march,” Sanaullah said, accusing him of planning to destroy and divide the country.

Recalling Faisal Vawda’s presser held few days ago, the interior minister said that a close aide of Khan admitted that PTI long march will turn out to be a “bloody march".

“Vawda was an insider and the PTI immediately distanced itself from the ex-minister's statement,” he added.

‘Govt did not make an offer to Imran Khan’

The interior minister revealed that the government did not make an offer for holding a dialogue with Khan.

“Gandapur would have been arrested if he was in Islamabad,” the minister said.

Imran Khan’s conspiracy will not be allowed to succeed, Sanaullah said, adding that they would react against the long march.

He revealed that a 13-member committee has been established to deliberate on the developing situation amid the PTI’s long march. He also urged Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to take notice of the emerging situation.

Sanaullah urged the nation to realise the true intentions of Khan, who aims to spread chaos in the country.

“If the government takes action against this person [Khan] — who does not believe in constitution and democracy — people should not raise objections claiming the march was peaceful,” he said, reiterating that the coalition government will protect the federal capital and the residents at any cost.

In response to a question, Sanaullah said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government should immediately arrest Gandapur and that unknown person.

He also stated that all information has also been shared with the Punjab government, urging it to take immediately crack down on mobs. “If the chief secretary and inspector-general fail to arrest these people the onus would be on them,” he asserted.