Gandapur referred to licensed arms in leaked audio: Barrister Saif

Special Assistant to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister for Information and PR, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif on Saturday claimed that PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur in his alleged leaked audio was referring to “licensed arms and carrying licensed arms for one’s safety is not a crime”.

Following Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah’s presser, Barrister Saif stated that “Rana Sanaullah is holding back-to-back press conferences to safeguard his government which is now based on mere 27 kilometres.”

Barrister Saif, while terming Rana Sanaullah’s presser baseless, questioned that since when carrying licensed arms for safety purposes is considered a crime.

He further stated that “Rana Sanaullah is talking about threats of violence, while raising objections on licensed arms” while adding that “if security guards are carrying licensed arms, then there shouldn’t be an issue.”

Read more: Gandapur's audio leak reveals 'PTI wants bloodshed' in long march: Sana

He went on to state that he has never seen such a “helpless interior minister who is holding back-to-back pressers to seek arrests of peaceful protesters.”

Barrister Saif, while acknowledging Ali Amin Gandapur’s role in PTI, stated that “Gandapur is an asset to PTI” and that “instead of worrying about the PTI leaders, Rana Sanaullah should be worried about himself, as very soon the tables will turn.”

While taking a jibe at the incumbent government, he stated that the “imported government is fully under pressure of PTI and we will not let them get away easily this time”.

He concluded by stating that “it would be better for Rana Sanaullah to make a plan for his own safe exit.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Amin Gandapur has announced to hold a presser to respond to Rana Sanaullah’s allegations against him at 3pm on Sunday.

Also read: 'We are people, not sheep': Imran kicks off Day 2 of long march

According to details, the PTI leader would respond to the purported audio leak played by the interior minister in his press conference in Islamabad.

Sanaullah had claimed that PTI was busy gathering men and arms at the borders of the twin cities and planning bloodshed by pitting people against the law enforcement agencies (LEAs).

The interior minister presented an audio clip purportedly carrying conversation of PTI’s former federal minister for Kashmir affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur with an unidentified man as an evidence of his claim that PTI was bringing arms and men to the capital to create chaos.

Following the audio leak of Gandapur, a key cabinet minister told The Express Tribune that the government has decided to approach the Supreme Court against PTI’s long march and Gandapur’s audio tape as PTI was allegedly creating a law and order situation that might trigger clashes between the people and law enforcement agencies. The minister said that a petition along with proofs would soon be presented before the apex court.

The interior minister, who has recently earned the new nickname of a Hakeem Sahib; the one who can treat or heal diseases or wounds, said that PTI’s long march was aimed at dividing the nation and an attempt to spread chaos in the society, saying the Fitna should immediately be crushed as it could lead to country’s destruction. He also ruled out negotiations with those gathering guns.