Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has issued a stern warning to those who, whether they voted for the 26th constitutional amendment or simply stood by the government, will face consequences.
"We won’t spare anyone aligned with the government, regardless of whether they cast a vote," he stated during his address to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Monday.
Gandapur strongly criticised the amendment, describing it as an unconstitutional move benefiting only the elite. He added that the judiciary has been placed under control of this elite class. "This government, which lacks a legitimate mandate, has attacked the judiciary," he said. "First, we will reclaim our mandate through the public, and then we will reject such amendments."
Highlighting the ongoing political struggle, he stated, "This is a battle of ideologies. Some may try to force us to retreat, but through this difficult time, we've come to know who the traitors, cowards, and corrupt are, and who stands firm for our cause. We will continue to stand firm, God willing."
Gandapur also pledged to expose those who betrayed former prime minister Imran Khan, noting that names of those who voted or stood by the government would be revealed by the end of the night. "Traitors are traitors, whether motivated by necessity or money. If someone was under pressure, they should have resigned. Why didn’t they?" he questioned.
He vowed to hold those accountable who changed their loyalties for personal gain. "The nation will take them to task, and so will we. If anyone thinks they can easily get away with this, they are mistaken."
Gandapur further warned that if the senior-most judge is not appointed chief justice, they will once again take to the streets in protest.
In a pointed message to state institutions, he remarked, "I am openly telling all decision-making bodies that you are accountable. You cannot act in this country without being questioned, nor can you silence everyone."
On the subject of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), he said the institution had achieved nothing other than political revenge. "Hundreds of billions of the public’s money have been wasted, and the result has been nothing but political victimisation."
He lamented that Pakistan’s economic woes, including its mounting debts, stem from poor policies and unconstitutional amendments. "When you appoint people of your choice and have them make decisions, those institutions can never progress," he remarked, pointing to the country’s financial struggles as evidence.
Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari officially approved the 26th constitutional amendment, which has now become law following its publication in the official gazette.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded the unanimous passage of the amendment, calling it a "shining example of national consensus" and a fulfilment of the unfinished vision of the Charter of Democracy, initiated by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.
He declared that the era of dismissing elected prime ministers is over and expressed gratitude to Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Maulana Fazlur Rehman for their efforts in advancing the country's best interests.
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