'Defiant' Gandapur vows to stand by Imran Khan in first speech after 'resurfacing'

• Gandapur vows to send delegation to Afghanistan for talks.
• No big deal if journalists spoil his reputation: KP CM.
• “It will be beneficial for country if institutions mend their ways.”
  

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who remained "unreachable" for several hours following his explosive speech at PTI's September 8 rally in Islamabad, resurfaced at a ceremony of Peshawar Bar Council Association on Wednesday, saying he would stand by jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan come what may. 

“I want to give a message to our leader [Imran Khan] that we support your ideology,” said the KP chief minister — who remained "missing" for hours in the wake of the fresh crackdown against the former ruling party over violation of newly-enacted public gathering law following the party's September 8 rally in Islamabad.

The development was confirmed by PTI's member National Assembly (MNA) Shahid Khattak with sources saying that the CM was "busy in various meetings" in the federal capital after the party's power show.

Following his return, the former ruling party maintained that Gandapur held a long meeting with government officials over the law-and-order situation in the province and that he couldn't be reached due to mobile phone jammers at the location of the said meeting.

Addressing the bar council members today, the KP CM asked the institutions to mend their ways, which he said will be beneficial for the people, the country and themselves.

He also asked them to "sit with incarcerated PTI founder and resolve issues". “Our goal should be to lift the country and not the ego,” he said.

Referring to the recent terror attacks in the province, Gandapur said he had told the apex committee that the trust of his people and the police has broken. “My province is bleeding and they do not care,” he regretted.

The nation has been reeling under rising violent attacks since the Taliban rulers returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the bordering provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The KP alone witnessed 25 casualties in the 29 terrorist attacks during August.

The chief executive announced to send a delegation of the provincial government to neighbouring Afghanistan to hold dialogue and settle the issues. “I am accountable to people of my province, who voted for PTI and bring it into power.”

“If they agree, that’s good, and if not, then very very good.”

Speaking of the cases registered against him following the Islamabad rally, CM Gandapur said it was alleged that he had pointed a pistol towards the deputy superintendent of police (DSP).

Rejecting the allegations, he said he hasn’t seen a person in blue uniform — referring to Islamabad police. “Mend your ways […] It’s not a threat,” he asked the police official.

Furthermore, the chief minister noted that raising voice against the oppressive leaders was “jihad”. “When I say such things, they blame me for provoking the people,” he added.

He also called the journalists his "brothers", saying that it was not a big deal if the newsmen spoiled his reputation.

The KP CM's statement came amid uproar over his "vulgar and threatening” remarks against journalists, mainly women during Sept 8 public rally