Inside story of Gandapur’s removal as PTI KP president

PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has been removed from the presidency of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter.

The decision was reportedly taken by the founder and former chairman of PTI, Imran Khan, currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail. The firebrand politician has been the de facto leader of PTI in the absence of Imran Khan, as witnessed by the recent PTI protests and rallies. However, on Saturday, the news emerged that Imran Khan has ordered removal of Gandapur from a key party position.

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PTI leader Salman Akram Raja informed of the removal of Gandapur, saying that Junaid Akbar has been appointed as the President of PTI’s provincial chapter. “He was appointed on the advice of Ali Amin Gandapur,” Raja said, adding, “Gandapur has many responsibilities in the province.” Gandapur will continue to remain the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Raja added.

In a conversation with media outside Adiala Jail, said that a discussion was held with Imran Khan on Saturday. “Imran Khan is aware that shots were fired and there is an atmosphere of fascism. [He knows] our demands were mocked.”

Salman Akram Raja reiterated that the negotiating committee of PTI will not attend the January 28 meeting. He said, “[The government] says that no shots were fired. We have martyrs and injured [proving otherwise]”.

PARTY RESTRUCTURING ON THE CARDS

Talking about Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi, Raja said that she needs coordination. “The party’s work will be done by party officials,” Salman Akram Raja added.

Raja said that Imran Khan had directed him to issue a notification for the appointment of Junaid Akbar and had also asked him to consult on the restructuring of the party in Punjab.

He said that Aliya Hamza is PTI’s “most active worker”, adding that she has a big role. “Imran Khan thinks that she should be given a big post in Punjab. We will sit and take an important decision regarding Aliya Hamza in Punjab,” he said.

He said that Ali Amin Gandapur is handling responsibilities in the province, and the notification of Junaid Akbar’s appointment will be made soon along with changes in Punjab. “It is necessary for PTI to be active at all levels,” he said.

BUSHRA BIBI-GANDAPUR SCUFFLE

On the issue of Gandapur’s removal, sources say that lawyers had been complaining to Imran Khan against the CM for three months. Reportedly, Gandapur himself had also talked to Salman Akram Raja about leaving the party post.

Sources said that in the meeting of Atif Khan and Junaid Akbar with Imran Khan, there were complaints against Gandapur. The meeting discussed the governance of the province and the chief minister’s role in the recent PTI protests.

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Sources say that in the meeting, Imran Khan expressed strong displeasure with Ali Amin Gandapur.

Sources said that another faction of PTI members have told Imran Khan that Gandapur was behind Bushra Bibi’s arrest. Coupled with the skirmishes that the chief minister has had with the former first lady, Imran Khan has now decided to decrease Gandapur’s influence in the party’s politics.