KP: PTI leaders reaffirm loyalty to IK amid no-trust motion speculation
Speaking at a presser along with acting PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan and other senior leaders, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur challenged political opponents to try toppling the PTI government if they could.
'No matter how hard you try, you cannot bring down our government – whether through constitutional or unconstitutional means,' Gandapur warned. 'If anyone thinks they can topple the KP government, I challenge them to go ahead. I know they can't do anything, no matter what.'
He rejected claims of internal discord within the PTI, asserting that the provincial government is – and will always remain – loyal to Khan. 'This government belongs to Imran Khan. It can only be dissolved on his instructions,' Gandapur said.
The chief minister also criticised the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment, calling it an attack on judicial independence and a stain on Pakistan's democratic framework.
He further accused the powers that be of undermining PTI's electoral mandate, alleging pressure during his detention to renounce the party and denounce Khan.
'Our mandate was taken away…our reserved seats were snatched. What more can you do? And if you now think you can topple our government in KP, that's just wishful thinking,' he warned.
Addressing unrest in the Kurram District, Gandapur said the issue was inherited but warned of broader instability along the Afghan border. 'A neighbouring country has defeated global powers – this border is not secure,' he said.
He also alleged that moves were underway to impose emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but insisted Khan had consistently advocated political dialogue, even before his arrest.
Echoing Gandapur's remarks, PTI acting chairman Gohar Ali Khan said any no-confidence move would fail without Khan's approval. 'Let anyone try - no attempt will succeed unless it is sanctioned by Imran Khan,' he added.
He criticised what he called attempts to obstruct PTI governance, citing references against elected lawmakers and disruption of KP Assembly budget proceedings. 'The opposition does not have the numbers. We will defend this government at all costs,' he said.
PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja described the February 8, 2024 general elections as 'historically rigged,' framing the party's campaign as a struggle for democratic rights rather than political power. 'This is Imran Khan's battle and we will win it,' he declared.
PTI KP president Junaid Akbar confirmed that lawmakers from both the National Assembly, Senate, KP, Punjab, and Sindh provincial assemblies attended the meeting.
'Despite differences, we stand united behind Khan and will follow every instruction from him,' he said.
During the parliamentary party meeting, PTI lawmakers reportedly postponed a planned oath on the holy Quran, intended to affirm unity and loyalty to Khan, sources told Business Recorder. The delay followed internal consultations emphasising party cohesion.
Sources said senior leaders reaffirmed that distancing themselves from Khan under external pressure would amount to betrayal.
Gohar reportedly told fellow lawmakers: 'None of us is here on our own strength. Even our families might not have voted for us if it weren't for Imran Khan.'
Lawmakers reportedly agreed their parliamentary positions stemmed entirely from Imran Khan's popularity and vote bank.
The meeting also revealed internal dissent. Some lawmakers criticised Gandapur, while others expressed concern over political interference by Khan's sister, Aleema Khan.
Aamir Dogar reportedly presented a letter from imprisoned PTI leaders urging renewed dialogue with the establishment.
MNAs Ali Muhammad Khan and Zartaj Gul emphasised the importance of negotiations, with Zartaj Gul warning that continued confrontation could lead to severe legal consequences, including long prison sentences.
Other members called for clearer party communication and unity in decision-making.
Shahid Khattak questioned inconsistent messaging around the KP budget, citing a recent tweet by Salman Akram Raja.
The parliamentary group agreed to form a negotiation committee, subject to Imran Khan's approval, to manage the ongoing political crisis.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
7 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PML-N emerges biggest beneficiary of CB ruling
Listen to article The National Assembly regained its full strength on Wednesday as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) distributed reserved seats among the parliamentary parties in the house, in line with the decision of the Constitutional Bench (CB) of the Supreme Court last week. In a 7-3 majority ruling in the reserved seats review case, the CB on Friday overturned the Supreme Court's July 12, 2024 judgment, effectively taking away the reserved seats from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and handing them to their rival parties in the national and provincial legislatures. The CB restored the March 25, 2024, order of the Peshawar High Court (PHC), which had deprived the Sunni Ittehad Council – the party joined by PTI-backed independents after the Feb 8, 2024 elections – of reserved seats. The decision effectively meant that the PTI was no longer a parliamentary party. Therefore, the 77 reserved seats of the national and provincial assemblies were allocated among the parliamentary parties present in the respective assemblies, since they could not be kept vacant. As expected the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PKL-N) was the major beneficiary. In the light of the CB decision, the ECP distributed 19 reserved seats in the National Assembly, out of which, according to an ECP statement, 13 went to the PML-N, four for the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) and two to the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI). After the allocation of the reserved seats, the ruling coalition, comprising PML-N, PPPP, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and other parties, surged above the two-thirds majority of 224 in the 336-strong house. Acting on the court's verdict, the ECP issued an order on Wednesday, withdrawing its notifications of July 24 and 29, 2024 that had declared some independent candidates, winning on the general seats of the national and provincial assemblies as PTI lawmakers. In another order, the ECP notified the names of the returned candidates under various categories of the reserved seats with immediate effect. The National Assembly Secretariat later detailed the house composition, reflecting the actual party position after the court verdict and ECP's distribution. The data released by the Secretariat's Legislation Branch showed that the strength of the treasury benches swelled to 235 seats, with 98 of the opposition, in the house currently comprised 333 lawmakerswith one member being suspended and two reserved seats remaining vacant. The ECP also distributed the reserved seats in the provincial assemblies. In the K-P Assembly, 10 seats were given to the JUI-F, seven to the PML-N, six to the PPPP and one each to the PTI-Parliamentarians and Awami National Party (ANP). The PML-N was given 23 seats in the Punjab Assembly – two to the PPPP and one each to the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP). In the Sindh Assembly, two seats were given to the PPPP and one to the MQM-P.
Express Tribune
12 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Sindh lifts ban on fishing before time
The Sindh government has prematurely lifted its annual fishing ban at coastal and freshwater bodies, which was originally set to end on August 1. The ban has been lifted from July 1 without any official explanation from the Department of Livestock and Fisheries, which issued the notification. Under the Sindh Fisheries Ordinance 1980, a two-month ban is imposed every year during June and July to allow for the natural breeding cycle of shrimp and fish. The ban plays a vital role in protecting marine life and future fishery stocks. The wildlife and marine experts have expressed serious concerns about the environmental and economic consequences of ending the ban prematurely. According to WWF-Pakistan's Technical Advisor, Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Pakistan's shrimp production has already seen a steep decline from 27,000 tons in 2020 to just 17,400 tons in 2024. He noted that, by international standards, a minimum three-month ban (from May to July) is recommended to ensure full breeding. "Sadly, in Sindh, even the two-month ban was not allowed to mature," he said. Khan warned that while the decision may be justified in the name of supporting fishermen's livelihood, the long-term result will be depletion of marine resources, ultimately harming the same communities. Fisherfolk representative Abdul Majeed Motani also opposed the early lifting of the ban, stating that it was influenced by a powerful political figure in the Sindh government, not by genuine concern for the fishing community. He added that fishing in this season is dangerous due to rough sea conditions, and claimed to have formally raised the issue with the Joint Maritime Information and Coordination Centre, warning them of the risks to both marine life and fishermen. Meanwhile, the Federal Marine Fisheries Department has also expressed alarm over the decision of prematurely ending the ban. Department's Director General, Dr. Mansoor Wassan, stated that lifting the ban early will accelerate the decline of fish and shrimp stocks, adversely affecting the Pakistan's seafood exports. Efforts by The Express Tribune to contact Sindh's Secretary of Livestock and Fisheries, Kazim Jatoi, for an explanation went unanswered. Calls and WhatsApp messages sent to his official number also received no response.
Express Tribune
12 hours ago
- Express Tribune
'Fuel levy hurts low-income families'
Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar has accused both the federal and provincial governments led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of burdening the people with heavy taxation, mishandling fuel pricing, and politicising the recent Swat tourist tragedy. Speaking at a press conference here on Wednesday, Bhachar denounced the federal government's overnight hike in petrol and diesel prices, calling it "ironic" amid declining global oil rates. He said the imposition of over Rs100 per litre in taxes on petroleum products would have a direct and disproportionate impact on farmers and low-income households. "Just days after presenting the budget with promises of relief, the government raised taxes on fuel," he said. "Meanwhile, farmers have been entirely ignored." Bhachar also accused Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz of misleading the public by claiming the provincial budget was tax-free. "In reality, even small two-marla houses were taxed," he alleged. Turning to the recent deaths of tourists in Swat, the opposition leader accused the Punjab government of politicising the tragedy. He said that instead of pointing fingers, the provincial administration should reflect on its own shortcomings. "While the nation mourns the loss of lives in Swat, who will answer for the 23 children who died due to oxygen shortages in Pakpattan, or the 20 newborns who died during deliveries in a single week?" he asked. He condemned the reported closure of 1,132 basic health centres across Punjab, which he claimed would affect approximately 130,000 employees — many with decades of service. "These individuals deserve an explanation," he said, adding that the provincial government had yet to issue a public statement on the child fatalities or the healthcare downsizing. Commenting on the suspension of opposition lawmakers, Bhachar alleged the move was a tactic to pass legislation without dissent. "The authority to requisition the assembly was stripped from us," he said. "We've already called it a fake assembly. Our leader, Imran Khan, commended the lawmakers who resisted and protested against figures like Maryam Nawaz." Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Punjab leadership announced preparations for a province-wide protest campaign against what it described as "inhumane treatment" of former prime minister Imran Khan. "In the face of this oppression and injustice, protest is now our only remaining option," the leaders asserted in a statement. The planned protest follows directives from PTI Patron-in-Chief Imran Khan to resist what the party calls ongoing violations of constitutional and legal order.
