Gandapur issues 15-day ultimatum to federal govt on load-shedding

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has issued a 15-day deadline for the federal government to resolve the load-shedding issue. He warned that if the problem is not solved within this period, he will take matters into his own hands.

Speaking during a session of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Gandapur announced that committees would be formed to investigate the administrative and economic measures taken during the caretaker period, attributing the extension of the caretaker government’s tenure to the Pakistan Democratic Movement being in power.

Gandapur remarked that the opposition’s criticism of the caretaker government’s budget is akin to criticizing themselves. He noted that despite criticisms of PTI’s performance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the people voted for them even without the party symbol and lamented that those who suffered were being unfairly blamed.

The KP Chief Minister stated that constituencies would be opened to prove electoral fraud and that the stolen mandate would be returned. He challenged those accusing him of lying to open his constituency first, asserting that they were ready to probe all their constituencies.

Also read: Gandapur threatens to take over PEPCO amidst ‘oppressive’ power cuts

Gandapur emphasized that those who talk about the constitution and law should also fulfill their responsibilities. He pointed out that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa received Rs300 billion less from the federation and that, according to the IMF’s terms, KP must return Rs96 billion to the federation despite not receiving their own money. He pledged to fulfill his duty and pay the outstanding amount, questioning whether Punjab and Sindh would do the same.

He criticized those who break the constitution and then lecture about it and those who are undemocratic yet lecture about democracy. The Chief Minister defended his right to speak for his people’s rights, stating that if this is considered irresponsible, then he accepts being irresponsible.

Gandapur vowed not to remain silent, asserting their ability to claim their rights, as their history is evident. He demanded their rights be given and not force them to take to the streets. He predicted that political parties would one day regret their treatment of the PTI.

He assured that those working in the province would provide relief, and those who do not, would be dealt with accordingly. He clarified that the people voted for them not for good relations but to fight their battle.

“If the electricity issue is not resolved within 15 days, I will take control of the power button,” he said, mentioning that the PTI government left with the electricity price at Rs16 per unit. He asserted that he would not tolerate the word ‘thief’ for his people, as everyone knows who the real thief is.

He warned that if their words were not heard, he would take control of WAPDA offices in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, highlighting the continuous leaks that reveal who the real thief is. He questioned what would happen if they took to the streets, given the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir where the government buckled in one day.

Gandapur urged the federal government to sit down and solve the problem; otherwise, responsibility would lose its meaning. He declared that no one could impose taxes in FATA and PATA without his consent.

He criticized previously imposed taxes as unjust, pointing out that the non-filer tax does not differentiate between the rich and the poor, questioning what kind of Pakistan this is. He called for exemptions and questioned who was behind the electricity theft, as no one can steal electricity without WAPDA’s involvement.

Gandapur concluded by stating that the matters of the province would be resolved with the province’s consent, emphasizing that the people are his strength and that it is their responsibility to take care of their region’s work.