In a significant political maneuver, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, marking a constructive dialogue between leaders of historically rival parties, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Post-meeting, during a press briefing alongside Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and PML-N affiliates, Gandapur described the encounter as “positive.”
Gandapur, a PTI stalwart, advocated for a political discourse with PTI’s imprisoned founder, Imran Khan, who has been detained since August on various charges. He urged the Prime Minister to engage, suggesting it as a pathway to resolution. Gandapur also relayed that Sharif had agreed to facilitate a meeting with Khan in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, despite heightened security and restrictions on Khan’s interactions due to security concerns.
The KP Chief Minister briefed that his meeting agenda with Sharif included discussions on the Senate elections and addressing public grievances. Sharif assured Gandapur of settling provincial dues, a gesture Gandapur termed as both “good” and “positive.”
This meeting represents a pivotal step toward tempering political discord, especially given PTI’s ouster through a no-confidence motion in April 2022 and subsequent allegations of election manipulation by the coalition government led by PML-N and allies.
Despite historical contention and recent legal challenges from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) directed at Gandapur, this dialogue underscores a mutual willingness to foster cooperation while maintaining respective political stances.
Gandapur, reflecting on PM Sharif’s recent visit to KP and his absence from Peshawar, highlighted the region’s tradition of hospitality, reinforcing the importance of respectful guest treatment.
Acknowledging the meeting’s significance, Planning Minister Iqbal assured federal efforts towards development and security in KP, including uninterrupted electricity during Ramazan. Iqbal emphasized collective state ownership, transcending political divides for public welfare.
The Prime Minister’s Office later affirmed Sharif’s commitment to addressing KP’s legitimate concerns within the country’s fiscal constraints, underscoring the unity and progress achievable through collaboration among the federation’s provinces. Attendees included senior officials and ministers, emphasizing a unified approach to resolving issues and prioritizing public welfare, echoing a harmonious intergovernmental relationship as pivotal for national advancement.
