K-P CM warns Punjab police of consequences

Says they will not be spared in future if found blocking paths

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has issued a warning to the Punjab police, stating that if they resort to violence against PTI workers again, they will not be spared and be brought to justice in his province.

He said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman has admitted that the PTI government was ousted at the behest of the United States. "You (Rehman) also became a tool in this. We thank Maulana for his conscience awakening, but he still has other truths that need to be presented to the nation. Why is he silent on certain matters now?" the chief minister asked.

"The people involved are still alive—why aren't they responding now? We will go wherever the chairman (Imran Khan) directs us. The government is creating hurdles, and now they've even started using bullets along with violence, but these bullets and tear gas can only delay us; they cannot deter us from our goal. Wherever I go to protest, I will take machinery to remove obstacles. Let's see if anyone can stop me," Gandapur warned.

Speaking to the media at the Peshawar High Court, the CM said that laws can always be improved, and amendments need to be made as circumstances change, especially regarding courts and the government. The CM said the government was are working on the 2017 Police Act to ensure justice for the public so that no one can misuse their power. Work on this has already begun, he revealed.

"The K-P police are excellent; our culture and traditions are strong. Unfortunately, during the caretaker government, the police were misused, and even they admit to being pressured into doing things they didn't want to do."

He stated that when people go through such situations, they realise their mistakes. "In the next two days, we are going to present and change these amendments. We are making the laws compliant with court orders. We are not in favor of any misuse of power, and those who engage in such actions will be punished.

He further said that no one is above the law, and all actions will be taken within its boundaries. The Cm criticised the central government for not allowing public gatherings and said that the way they issue NOCs and then create problems is something the whole nation has seen.

"This is an undemocratic government, formed under Form 47, and they are taking steps that are destroying Pakistan's democracy. When those who call themselves democratic governments engage in such actions, what can be expected from them?

The CM continued that the government is not allowing peaceful protests. "We will protest peacefully wherever the PTI Founder Imran Khan directs us. The government is creating obstacles and has now even started using bullets, but these actions can only delay us; they cannot stop us from achieving our objective, which is the protection of the Constitution, the rule of law, and democracy."

He asserted that this was PTI's cause and the reason the founding chairman, Imran Khan, is in jail "without any legitimate case against him".