Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur told Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday that it was crucial to engage with the incarcerated founder of their party, Imran Khan for resolving the political issues.
Punjab Government has announced blanket ban on meetings at the Adiala Jail in the backdrop of serious threats to the important personalities locked up there.
Gandapur, a member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, highlighted the necessity for political engagement with Imran Khan, who has been in custody since August last year on various charges including corruption and terrorism. He stressed that such engagement could lead to a political resolution.
During the meeting, Gandapur urged the Prime Minister to allow him to meet Imran Khan in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where security measures have been tightened, preventing Imran Khan from holding meetings due to security concerns.
The purpose of Gandapur’s proposed meeting with Imran Khan was to discuss upcoming Senate elections.
Gandapur’s meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, despite belonging to opposing political parties, is viewed as a significant development in easing political tensions in the country, particularly following the removal of the PTI-led government via a no-confidence motion in April 2022.
The PTI has accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and its coalition partners of unlawfully seizing power after allegedly tampering with the results of the February 8 elections.
Gandapur, upon assuming the role of KP Chief Minister, reiterated his commitment to maintaining a cooperative relationship with the federal government while standing firm on the PTI’s stance regarding the alleged electoral fraud.
The meeting between Gandapur and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif occurred shortly after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued a notice to Gandapur regarding a petition seeking his disqualification over alleged misinformation about a land issue.
Responding to questions about Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to KP, Gandapur expressed regret for not being present to receive the Prime Minister, citing the tradition of hospitality towards guests.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who also attended the meeting, welcomed the dialogue between the KP Chief Minister and the Prime Minister, emphasizing the federal government’s commitment to supporting the province’s development and maintaining law and order.
In a separate statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz assured Gandapur that all legitimate demands of KP would be addressed, considering the country’s current financial constraints.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of unity among all provinces for national progress and development, emphasizing the need to prioritize public welfare above all else.
The meeting was attended by various senior officials including Foreign Affairs Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, and Minister for States and Frontier Regions Amir Muqam.
