Where is K-P CM Gandapur? Here’s what we know so far
Details have emerged about the sudden disappearance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who went missing during a PTI-led protest in Islamabad yesterday. CCTV footage from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House and an audio recording from his brother, Faisal Amin, have shed light on the mystery surrounding his abrupt departure.
Gandapur, who entered Islamabad as part of a large convoy of protestors on October 5, was last seen leading demonstrators from K-P into the federal capital. He was spotted multiple times on top of containers as the crowd made its way through various roadblocks. According to witnesses, Gandapur was seen near China Chowk, close to D-Chowk, before vanishing.
The newly released CCTV footage from K-P House in Islamabad shows Gandapur entering the building’s gates, dressed in black shalwar kameez. Shortly after, he is seen exiting the premises in different civilian clothes, accompanied by several individuals dressed in plain clothes, including police officers. The footage suggests that Gandapur, rather than being forcibly taken, left the protest and disappeared of his own volition.
This has given rise to significant speculation. Some political figures had previously claimed that Gandapur was either arrested or abducted, but these revelations point to a voluntary retreat. The release of this footage, coupled with Faisal Amin’s leaked audio conversation, further supports the theory that the chief minister left the protest intentionally.
The controversy took a new turn as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding the immediate release of Ali Amin Gandapur. "If the chief minister is not freed, we will launch protests across the country," said PTI leader and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser in Peshawar.
He expressed concern about Gandapur’s whereabouts, claiming no one has received any concrete information since his last appearance. "The government must answer for this unprecedented incident," Qaiser added.
At a media briefing, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi clarified the situation, stating, "The chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not in the custody of any federal agency. He has chosen to go into hiding of his own accord." Naqvi’s statement has raised further questions about the chief minister’s actions, as well as the motivations behind his sudden disappearance.
Journalists questioned Islamabad’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Nasir Rizvi regarding Gandapur’s status. Rizvi confirmed that law enforcement had raided K-P House in search of Gandapur but were unable to locate him. "We have no knowledge of his whereabouts. He is not in our custody," Rizvi stated.
The political fallout from Gandapur’s disappearance continues to escalate, with PTI accusing the federal government of undermining the authority of the chief minister. "This isn’t just an attack on Ali Amin, this is an attack on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa," declared Asad Qaiser during a press conference. He also called for immediate action, warning, "If the chief minister is not brought to light, we will not hesitate to launch nationwide protests. The government cannot hide behind this veil of silence."
The incident has sparked broader concerns regarding the safety of elected officials, with Qaiser stating, "What will the world think if a province’s chief executive isn’t safe? This is a direct blow to democracy."
The situation remains tense as PTI continues to rally its supporters, insisting that Gandapur was taken from K-P House, despite the absence of concrete evidence to support these claims. The party also criticised the federal government for not addressing the issue of constitutional amendments that are being passed "in secret", accusing authorities of concealing critical information from the public.
As the standoff between PTI and the government intensifies, the whereabouts of Ali Amin Gandapur remain unknown. The political climate is expected to become even more volatile if no resolution is reached within the next 24 hours.