Ali Amin Gandapur returns to K-P's CM House
Gandapur resurfaced after a reported eight-hour disappearance, easing concerns raised by Barrister Saif.
News Desk |
September 10, 2024
K-P CM Ali Amin Gandapur. PHOTO: FILE
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has reached the Chief Minister House in Peshawar, after reportedly being missing for over eight hours.
Earlier it was reported that Gandapur had arrived at K-P House, with PTI lawyer Naeem Panjutha stating that they would depart for Peshawar shortly.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Adviser on Information, Barrister Saif had earlier expressed concerns over the chief minister's whereabouts.
In a statement issued on Monday night, Barrister Saif revealed that all attempts to reach the Chief Minister Gandapur had failed, and his phone numbers were switched off.
"Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur is in Islamabad, not Peshawar, but we have no information on his whereabouts," Saif said, adding that efforts to contact him were ongoing amid concerns that authorities were trying to arrest him.
Islamabad police lodge FIR
In a separate development, a case has been registered against Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in Islamabad on allegations of unlawful detention of a district official.
Sources confirmed that the FIR was lodged at the Sangjani Police Station, citing that the official had warned Gandapur and his team about exceeding the time limit for a rally held in Islamabad. Following this, the official was allegedly detained.
K-P CM under fire over 'derogatory' remarks
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Monday came under fire for his tirade against journalists during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) power show in Islamabad Several federal ministers and senators condemned the main opposition party's firebrand leader.
"If the founder of the PTI is not legally released within one to two weeks, we will have him freed ourselves," the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister said during Sunday's event, announcing to hold a rally in Lahore in the face of any obstacles or restrictions in his typical tone.
Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar said that those who are "hollow inside" can only hurl threats. "[He is] challenging a woman while standing on the stage, while being scared of terrorists" the minister said while condemning the K-P government's "failure" to control rising militancy in the province.
While addressing a news conference in the federal capital alongside federal Minster for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam, Tarar said that Gandapur vented out his frustration of a failed rally on Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz and institutions.
Amir in a strong condemnation of Gandapur's statement about the top brass of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), said that K-P CM badly failed to show his provincial government's performance.
He termed Gandapur's use of derogatory language about his Punjab counterpart a "very shameful act", saying that KP CM had violated all the Pakhtoon norms and respect for women.
During the Senate session, journalists boycotted proceedings in protest against Gandapur's speech. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar personally approached the journalists, offering an apology.
"We respect the entire journalist community," Gohar said. "I extend an unconditional apology for any hurt caused by the chief minister's remarks, which were directed at only a few journalists."
PTI leaders Barrister Gohar, Sher Afzal Marwat arrested outside Parliament House
Islamabad police arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Member of National Assembly (MNA) Sher Afzal Marwat outside Parliament House following a National Assembly session on Monday.
According to Express News, a heavy police presence had gathered outside the Parliament House in anticipation. As PTI leaders exited the building, police took positions and swiftly moved to detain Marwat.
A scuffle reportedly broke out between Marwat’s supporters and the police during Marwat's arrest. However, police managed to surround and apprehend the MNA, seizing his vehicle before leaving the scene.
While Sher Afzal Marwat was forcefully taken into custody, another PTI leader, Aamir Dogar, exited the Parliament House without any hindrance.
Sources indicate that Sher Afzal Marwat was arrested due to legal violations committed during last night’s rally.
The violations include disrupting the agreed route, breaching commitments, attacking Islamabad police, exceeding permitted timings, and delivering anti-state speeches.
Sources within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf have claimed that Advocate Shoaib Shaheen has also been arrested by police from his office.
Meanwhile, PTI leaders Aamir Dogar and Ali Muhammad Khan exited Parliament House without any hindrance.
Following Sher Afzal Marwat’s arrest, several PTI leaders and parliamentarians decided to remain inside the Parliament building. Barrister Gohar, Zain Qureshi, and Waqas Akram have since returned to the premises.
The police have stated that Zartaj Gul and Omar Ayub will also be arrested.
According to sources, PTI leader Zartaj Gul managed to evade arrest by sitting in the back seat of a car and deceiving the police, a claim confirmed by a PTI spokesperson.
The development took place hours after police in Islamabad filed three cases against the PTI leadership for failing to conclude last night’s rally on time, pelting stones on police officers, and violating designated routes.
The cases were registered under the Public Order and Peace Act, following the PTI’s public gathering at Islamabad’s Sangjani.
The first case was lodged at Sangjani Police Station for the rally exceeding its permitted time limit.
A second case was registered at Sumbal Police Station for violating the pre-approved route by leading convoys through Sadaat Colony and Srinagar Highway.
The third case, filed at Noon Police Station, pertains to stone-pelting on law enforcement officials, including senior superintendent of police (SSP) Safe City and other officers.
According to police sources, the prosecution has been prepared, with 28 local PTI leaders, including Sher Afzal Marwat, Zartaj Gul, Aamir Mughal, Shoaib Shaheen, Omar Ayub, Seemabia Tahir, and Raja Basharat, named in the cases.
The prosecution further alleges that PTI workers attacked police with stones and sticks after being stopped for route violations, leading to the arrest of 17 workers following the use of tear gas by authorities.
Earlier today, federal ministers Attaullah Tarar and Engineer Amir Maqam alleged that attendees at the opposition’s recent rally were forced to participate, accusing the opposition of using unethical tactics to fill their event.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, the ministers criticized the opposition, particularly the Chief Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, for his use of provocative language at the rally.
Yesterday, after a long gap, Imran Khan's beleaguered party finally managed to hold a rally in Islamabad amid clashes with the capital's police which left dozens of policemen and PTI workers injured.
Authorities had granted permission to the PTI to hold a public gathering in the capital on Sunday.
However, they had also turned Islamabad literally into a walled city with shipping containers blocking all the roads linking it to neighbouring Rawalpindi in anticipation of the rally and over 6,000 personnel of police and the Frontier Constabulary (FC) manning the routes.
Public transportation, including the Metro Bus service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, as well as the Green and Blue Line bus services within Islamabad, were suspended while trains arriving in Islamabad and Rawalpindi were delayed.
All hotels, guest houses, and shops around the gathering venue were also closed on the order of the relevant police station.
Interestingly, last month, Marwat announced that he would personally oversee the planning of all future rallies and protests, taking full responsibility should any incidents similar to those of May 9 occur.
He stressed that all future planning would be done independently, without consulting Imran Khan, to ensure any repercussions would fall solely on him.
Marwat reaffirmed his commitment to leading peaceful protests and urged PTI supporters, especially students, lawyers, and farmers, to actively join the movement against the current political situation.
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