Gandapur opposes forced repatriation of Afghans

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Sunday claimed that his government had stabilized the province financially without acquiring new loans despite inheriting a treasury that lacked funds for even 15 days of salaries for employees.

Speaking at a press conference here, he said the province was in debt amounting to Rs592 billion when he assumed office, but due to the policies of his government, they now had Rs179 billion in the treasury.

Gandapur said the government distributed over Ramazan relief packages Rs20 billion over the past two years and increased Zakat assistance from Rs12,000 to Rs25,000.

He announced that institutions running at a loss would be sustained through an endowment fund, stressing that his government was focused on completing projects that would make the province self-sufficient. “We are not among those who put their plaques on projects initiated by others,” he asserted. He also revealed plans to generate 500 megawatts of electricity by 2028.

Criticizing the federal government, the chief minister linked the resurgence of terrorism to political engineering. “When the state started dismantling a political party, terrorism resurfaced,” he said, calling the recent security situation a failure of the federal authorities. He defended his stance on negotiations, saying, “I talked about dialogue, and my opponents started criticizing me.”

Gandapur warned against undermining the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police, stating that the force was actively fighting terrorism. “I will not tolerate any criticism of our police,” he said, adding that their salaries would be increased through the NFC Award. Taking aim at former chief minister Pervez Khattak, he remarked, “I am not Pervez Khattak who would reduce Rs180 billion to Rs80 billion.” He claimed that before his government, the police lacked proper weapons.

On relations with Afghanistan, he revealed that the provincial government had sent Terms of Reference (TORs) for talks to the federal government. He strongly criticized the treatment of Afghan refugees, stating, “Afghan refugees have been humiliated.” He argued that no refugee should be expelled until proper arrangements were made in Afghanistan and that those seeking Pakistani nationality should be granted it. “The federal government has not even discussed the refugee issue with me,” he added.

Gandapur also took aim at Punjab’s governance, alleging that “there are no human rights or women’s rights in Punjab.” He questioned the country’s trajectory, saying, “Without freedom of expression, how will the country progress?” Warning of growing divisions, he stated, “Hatred is increasing; we need to save the country.”

Addressing speculation about changes in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet, Gandapur clarified that PTI founder Imran Khan had not given any direct orders for adjustments. “He formed an internal committee to oversee cabinet changes, but he never instructed me to make space for Kamran Bangash and Taimur Jhagra in the cabinet,” he stated.

The chief minister also criticized restrictions on political engagement, saying, “Despite being the chief minister, I struggle to get permission to meet our former chairman.” Warning PTI members against siding with Pervez Khattak, he said, “If any PTI member meets Pervez Khattak, they will be considered a turncoat.” He also disclosed that he had cautioned former chief minister Mahmood Khan against leaving PTI, telling him, “If you leave, your political career will be over.”