Ali Amin Gandapur, the former Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), publicly stated on Tuesday that he would not accept the reinstatement of his government-provided security, asserting that the provincial administration had already withdrawn it. Gandapur, who stepped down from his position as KP’s top executive in October last year, revealed that late at night around 11 pm, the deputy chief security officer (CSO) of the current KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi contacted his security team and instructed them to return, effectively ending his protection detail.
He further explained that during his tenure, he had been assigned a provincial government jammer, a double-cabin vehicle, and a security contingent comprising 14 personnel. When the security staff approached him with the order to stand down, Gandapur calmly told them to “just close up,” signaling his acceptance of the withdrawal. Despite this, he made it clear that even if the provincial government decided to restore his security arrangements, he would decline the offer, emphasizing his stance by addressing the Chief Minister directly: “There is no need to return my security. I do not require it.” This declaration highlights Gandapur’s firm position amid the ongoing political dynamics in KP.
In contrast to Gandapur’s claims, a spokesperson from the KP Chief Minister’s House categorically denied that any decision had been made to withdraw the former CM’s security. The spokesperson clarified that no official instructions had been issued to relevant departments concerning the matter, suggesting that the reports of security withdrawal might be premature or inaccurate. This official rebuttal adds a layer of complexity to the situation, reflecting the often tense and ambiguous nature of political communications in the province.
Ali Amin Gandapur is known as a prominent and outspoken leader within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. His resignation from the Chief Minister’s office on October 8 last year came shortly after PTI announced Sohail Afridi as his successor. At the time, Gandapur expressed his decision as an act of loyalty and respect towards the party’s founder and leader, Imran Khan. He posted on social media that it was his “honour to tender my resignation” in compliance with Khan’s directives, underscoring the internal party discipline and leadership dynamics at play.
Adding to the political backdrop, Member of the National Assembly Sher Afzal Marwat had suggested that one of the critical reasons behind Gandapur’s resignation was his inability to secure the release of Imran Khan from jail. This context sheds light on the pressures and challenges Gandapur faced during his tenure, which were not merely administrative but deeply intertwined with the party’s broader political struggles.
Following Gandapur’s departure, Sohail Afridi was elected as the new Chief Minister of KP on October 13 and officially took oath on October 15. Afridi’s rise to the position marked a significant shift in the provincial leadership, and the current developments regarding Gandapur’s security detail may reflect ongoing tensions or power recalibrations within the provincial government and PTI ranks. The situation remains fluid, with both Gandapur’s firm refusal and the government’s denial contributing to a narrative of political contestation in KP.
