‘Missing’ Gandapur resurfaces in KP Assembly

PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD: The ‘missing’ Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur resurfaced in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly soon after the provincial Assembly passed a resolution for his recovery and the speaker issued a production order late Sunday night.

Upon his entry into the provincial assembly hall at about 9.21 pm after remaining missing for 24 hours, Gandapur went straight to his seat. Speaker Babar Saleem Swati gave the floor to the Leader of the House amid slogans.

In his speech, he said he was at the KP House all the time but police could not spot him. He accused the inspector general of Islamabad police of raiding the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House where he along with other party members and his staff was present. He said the IG police had not only violated the sanctity of the KP House but also insulted the elected representatives of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He condemned what he said was the attack on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad, saying it was, in fact, an attack on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The chief minister asked the IG Islamabad to tender an apology on the floor of the KP Assembly for his bid to arrest the chief minister of a province. “The IGP should have completed the legal process before trying to arrest me,” he added.

Mocking the performance of Islamabad police, the chief minister said that he was at the KP House and they did not find him. He said Imran Khan was the most popular leader of the country and his release was required to pull the country out of the prevailing crises.

The chief minister termed the May 9 a drama and vowed not to bow to the tactics employed to subdue the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

“We reached the D-Chowk according to our announcement and we will continue peaceful protests against the injustices to the PTI and its founder Imran Khan,” he said amidst slogans and added that he reached Peshawar after traveling through 12 districts.

Ali Amin came down hard on the federal government for not allowing the party to hold public rallies on one pretext and the other. “They are afraid of the popularity of Imran Khan and his party,” he said, thanking the people of Pakistan for their support.

The chief minister said he was neither afraid of the governor’s rule nor his disqualification. “We will come to power again with the masses’ support,” he insisted.

Earlier, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly at its emergency session had condemned the alleged ‘disappearance’ of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and the ‘attack’ on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati had directed the KP chief secretary, principal secretary to the chief minister and inspector general of police to brief him about the whereabouts of the chief minister and the alleged attack on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad.

The speaker in his ruling stated that these high-profile officials must appear before him tomorrow (Monday) and inform him about what steps they had taken for the recovery of the ‘missing’ chief executive of the province. The speaker gave the ruling after the House passed a resolution by a majority.

Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam Khan had moved the resolution in the House. After getting legal advice from the advocate general, the speaker also issued a production order for the chief minister and those MPAs allegedly abducted from the KP House.

The opposition parties opposed the resolution as Pakistan Peoples Party parliamentary party leader Ahmad Karim Kundi advised the treasury benches to develop a consensus before presenting it.

The assembly session was scheduled to take place at 2 pm on Sunday but was delayed for more than five hours due to the prolonged parliamentary party meeting of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf at the Speaker’s House. National Assembly’s former speaker and PTI leader Asad Qaiser, MNAs Arbab Sher Ali, Amir Ayub Khan, Shandana Gulzar and other PTI leaders were present.

Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, who chaired the session, welcomed the PTI leaders and parliamentarians to the assembly. The PTI workers also thronged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Hall after holding a protest outside the assembly building against the alleged arrest of the chief minister.

The provincial assembly hall echoed with the sloganeering of PTI workers for the release of incarcerated PTI founding chairman Imran Khan.

Earlier, the opposition leader in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Dr Ibadullah told reporters in his chamber before the assembly session that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had also ‘disappeared’ for about eight hours in Islamabad and then suddenly appeared and reached Peshawar after holding a PTI public gathering in Islamabad.

“The chief minister has restaged the same drama and the assembly session was convened in an emergency to exaggerate the events,” he said and added the assembly session and resources must be utilized for proper legislation and the welfare of people of the province.

Dr Ibaad, who is the brother of Federal Minister Amir Muqam, said the PTI should not hold protests in the federal capital at a time when the foreign dignitaries were on an official visit to Pakistan while an important event of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was going to be held in Islamabad next week.

Earlier, the KP government on Sunday approached the Peshawar High Court (PHC) against the disappearance of CM Gandapur. KP Advocate General Shah Faisal said that a writ petition had been prepared in this regard and the court would be requested to take it up today.

On the other hand, talking to Geo News, the CM’s brother Faisal Amin Gandapur said he could not establish contact with his brother since last night.

KP CM’s Adviser on Information Barrister Saif said that Gandapur had been “incommunicado” since Saturday night. Speaking to Geo News, the official confirmed that the whereabouts of the KP CM were unknown and his family could not reach him. He held the Centre responsible for his going missing.

After Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders claimed about losing contact with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur following a raid at the KP House, the federal government on Sunday cleared the air on the matter, saying that Gandapur was not in the custody of any federal institution.

Gandapur had gone into self-imposed hiding since yesterday, said the federal government, as the provincial executive remains incommunicado since last night. The abrupt “disappearance” of firebrand politician and chief executive of KP had raised many questions, besides fuelling speculations of his arrest.

Addressing the media in Islamabad during a presser, flanked by KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi admitted that the law enforcement agencies did carry out a couple of raids at the KP House in Islamabad, suspecting that the chief minister might be there but he was not present at the location. “We do not have the knowledge if he has reached KP or not. However, a camera footage of him fleeing the KP House is available,” he said, dismissing the reports of KP chief minister being in police custody.

The interior minister said Gandapur was not in the custody of any other institution as well. He reiterated that the PTI leader himself fled somewhere. However, he said, if he was present in Islamabad, then the federal capital police were after him. “He is sought by the police,” he added.

“Ali Amin is playing on both sides of the wicket,” he said, adding that an emergency session of the KP Assembly had been convened over the matter of Gandapur’s hiding.

Apparently, pointing towards alleged participation of Afghan nationals in the political party’s protest, Kundi said it was the most frightening thing that terrorists were brought in by the PTI for the protest.

A police officer injured during a protest by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) succumbed to his injuries in a hospital on Sunday. According to police reports, Hamid Shah sustained severe injuries at the Chungi No26 and was shifted to PIMS where he succumbed to his injuries.

The funeral prayer of Hamid Shah was offered at the D-Chowk in Islamabad which was attended by Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, IG Punjab Police Dr Muhammad Usman Anwar, IG Islamabad Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi and other officials. Shaheed Constable Abdul Hameed was kidnapped and severely tortured by PTI protesters. The body of Shaheed Abdul Hameed was dispatched to his native town Abbottabad after the funeral prayers.

Abdul Hamid Shah had joined the Islamabad police in 1988 and was a resident of Abbottabad. He was set to retire in just three months after completing his service.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said no one will be allowed to destabilise Pakistan’s economy and all the upcoming international events in Pakistan will take place as scheduled. He was talking to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi who called on him in Lahore Sunday.

The prime minister said the situation was rapidly returning to normalcy and development of the economy and the nation’s prosperity are the top priorities of his government. He said political opponents are unable to digest an improvement in Pakistan’s economy. He said the world acknowledges Pakistan’s economic policies while political opponents want to hinder the country’s progress.

Shehbaz Sharif said the government is fully focused on taking the best and highest standards of security measures. He appreciated the interior minister, Islamabad administration and Islamabad police for maintaining law and order in the federal capital. He also commended the Islamabad police for their outstanding role in thwarting the attack on Islamabad as well as the Pakistan Army, Punjab police and Rangers in maintaining law and order.

Shehbaz Sharif also prayed for higher status in heaven for the martyred Constable Hameed Shah who sacrificed his life while protecting the lives and property of the public. He said the nation will always remember this sacrifice. Expressing solidarity with the family of the martyred constable, the prime minister directed to take care of the bereaved family of the Shaheed.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed his condolences to the family of martyred cop. He instructed the Inspector General of Police (IG) Islamabad to arrest the miscreants who tortured Hameed, according to a statement on X by the Ministry of Interior. “We stand with the family in this hour of grief,” the statement said adding that the family of the martyred will be looked after.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Islamabad, Ali Nasir Rizvi, revealed on Sunday that the federal police have arrested 878 activists of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), including 120 Afghan nationals, for their involvement in creating unrest and anti-state activities during the recent unrest in the capital. “This was not just a protest, it was sabotage,” the IGP stated.

The arrests were made as protesters, allegedly led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, attempted to invade Islamabad in a well-organised attack that went beyond a mere protest, according to the IGP.

In a press conference held at the Rescue 15 Office, IGP Rizvi explained that this operation, which spanned over several days, resulted in significant damage to public property as 431 Safe City cameras, valued at Rs154 million, were destroyed, and 60 motorcycles belonging to the federal police were also damaged. He emphasized that the violence was premeditated and went far beyond the bounds of lawful protest.

He described the attackers as well-prepared, highlighting that slingshots, pistols, rubber bullets, and even expired tear gas shells from the KP police were recovered from the rioters. Furthermore, eight active KP police personnel were apprehended, along with several retired officers, for their involvement in the clashes.

The violence led to the death of Constable Abdul Hameed, who was martyred during clashes at Chungi No26 after being hit by stones thrown by the protesters. According to the IGP, ten cases have been registered at eight police stations across the city under the Anti-Terrorism Act in response to the violence.

The chaos unfolded at multiple locations, including Faizabad, Blue Area and various entry points to the city. Islamabad police, with the support of 8,800 personnel, managed to prevent the protesters from reaching D-Chowk, despite the attackers using cranes to remove containers blocking their path. The IGP emphasised that this coordinated effort was aimed at sabotaging the city during critical events, such as the visit of Malaysian prime minister and the arrival of delegations for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.

IGP Rizvi underscored that this was a highly organised assault and that retired police officers were also involved in orchestrating the unrest. He assured the public that the police have secured irrefutable evidence, including footage and detailed reports from the Special Branch, and vowed to apprehend everyone involved.

“This is not just a matter of law enforcement. It is about protecting the capital and the country from organised attacks. We will continue to arrest those involved, and no one is above the law,” Rizvi said. He reiterated that the police are fully committed to ensuring the safety of Islamabad and its residents.

In recognition of the sacrifices made by law enforcement, the IGP praised the efforts of police forces in Islamabad and Lahore, particularly during the May 9 events. Welfare packages are being prepared for the family of martyr and heroes who defended the capital.

As the unrest subsides, Islamabad police remain on high alert, continuing their efforts to prevent further escalation and protect the city from any future attempts at disruption.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage and Culture Attaullah Tarar said on Sunday that the objective of the so-called “Tehreek-e-Intishar” was to derail the country’s economy and spread chaos and anarchy.

Talking to media here, the minister said he wondered what the objectives of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf protest movement were. He said he was deeply saddened by the martyrdom of Islamabad police constable Abdul Hameed Shah. “Abdul Hameed Shah had left home to perform security duties and was martyred by the anarchist group,” he added.

The anarchist movement cannot feel the grief of the family on the martyrdom of Abdul Hameed Shah, he said. The people of PTI attacked the federal capital armed with weapons.

The minister said the PTI was not digesting the country’s economic development and wanted to derail the system. Islamabad police showed patience and performed the security duties in a friendly manner and did not allow any loss of life or property, he remarked. He said that the PTI once again wanted dead bodies, but they were not given the opportunity.

Ali Amin Gandapur invaded the federal capital with government resources and weapons but he failed miserably in achieving his target. He said that they wanted to defame the country.

Ataullah Tarar said the country has a professional army chief and a strong leadership who cared about the country’s interests. Ali Amin Gandapur should spend the taxpayers money on the welfare of the people instead of wasting on protests and sit-ins.

The federal information minister said that Ali Amin Gandapur was a very irresponsible person, he not only played with law and order but also tried to spoil the image of the country and brought his followers to Islamabad. He had hidden himself. He said that Gandapur is such a person who led his workers and then left them without informing them and escaped on his own and went to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House and took shelter. Then he went into hiding from there.

He said that a campaign was being conducted for the last 24 hours that Ali Amin Gandapur had been kidnapped. “We were saying from the first day that Ali Amin Gandapur has gone into hiding because of fear, our words proved to be true.”

He asked why this drama was created and why did they run away leaving their people behind. He said, “A campaign was launched in the whole country that Ali Amin Gandapur had been kidnapped, sometimes the government was blamed, sometimes the army and sometimes the Ministry of Interior. They wanted to disrupt law and order on the occasion of the arrival of foreign delegations, their plan was to damage government property and derail Pakistan’s economy. They wanted to bring a revolution, but people did not join them, so they went into hiding, leaving their people helpless.”

The minister said on May 9, the three sisters of the founding chairman of PTI were present outside the corps commander’s house, their nephew was present and their leaders were saying that they should reach their goal. He said the government’s position has been proven true and the entire nation has seen the disgusting face of those who made false and fraudulent accusations, who sometimes made accusations against the army and sometimes against the prime minister.

Meanwhile, PMLN leader Senator Irfan Siddiqui expressed strong disapproval over the actions of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leadership, accusing the party for attacking the federation a number of times through the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

In a statement shared on his official ‘X’ account on Sunday, Senator Irfan Siddiqui mentioned past political rivalries but noted that such undesirable actions were unprecedented in Pakistan’s history.

Recalling the previous political tensions between PMLN and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Senator Irfan Siddiqui remarked that PMLN was in power in some regions, and PPP in others, whether in the Federation or the provinces, despite their differences, there was never a time when a provincial government, under the leadership of a chief minister, launched an offensive action against the Federation.

He lamented that such an undemocratic incident was witnessed during the government of PTI in KP, referencing the 2016 protest led by then Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and the subsequent 2022 protest led by former prime minister Imran Khan accompanying then chief minister Mahmood Khan. He accused Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur of following the footprints of his predecessors in a bid to attack the federal government with all provincial resources.

He criticised the PTI for turning what he described as ‘attacks on the Federation’ into a routine practice, stating that no political party in any democratic country across the world engages in such unparliamentary behavior.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui questioned whether any political group acting in this unlawful manner could be recognised as a legitimate political entity.