Gandapur vows PTI's 'war for freedom'

K-P CM blasts mandate theft, touts record revenues amid political crackdown

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has said that following the regime change which toppled their government, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is in a state of war.

"This is a battle for Pakistan and for freedom, and we will fight until our last breath," he declared.

In a statement, the chief minister said elected representatives are being disqualified without justification, depriving them of their constitutional rights. "Even during the elections, our mandate was stolen across the country. There is no longer any trace of the Constitution and the rule of law in Pakistan," he remarked.

He alleged that a "borrowed mandate" through Form 47 has been imposed on the nation and that corruption from past governments is being used as a weapon against PTI.

Referring to the Kohistan scandal, he said it was a federal matter, yet the blame was being pinned on the provincial government.

Highlighting his administration's performance, Gandapur stated that in the past 17 months the province had generated over Rs250 billion in revenue, setting a new record.

"We inherited a province buried in debt and struggling to pay salaries, yet we have put it on the path to development," he said. The provincial government has established an endowment fund of Rs190 billion to repay debts, with a target of Rs300 billion.

"Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has now become an example for transparency, service, and progress across the country. Our top priorities are eliminating terrorism and restoring public confidence. The scope of traditional Jirgas will be expanded, and public opinion will be decisive," Gandapur added. He stressed that the sacrifices of police and army martyrs will not go in vain, and a strong strategy will be formulated through public input and Jirga consultations.

"State-opposing forces are active, and retaliatory actions are at their peak, but we will not back down. This is a war for Pakistan and for freedom, and we will fight until the very end," he vowed.

It may be recalled that the series of regional consultative Jirgas on law and order, hosted by Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, concluded on Saturday with the fourth and final gathering held at the Chief Minister's House in Peshawar.

The meeting drew a large turnout of tribal elders from Upper, Central, and Lower Kurram, political party representatives, and members of the provincial and national assemblies. It was also attended by the CM's Adviser on Information and Public Relations Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Senator Noorul Haq Qadri, Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed, and relevant commissioners, deputy commissioners, and police officials.

Participants lauded the Chief Minister for engaging tribal elders to promote peace and for addressing the Kurram issue through peaceful means. They thanked the provincial government for announcing a special development package for the region, launching helicopter services during crises, and extending full support to the local population.