CM Gandapur warns of armed protests as PTI intensifies demands for judicial probe
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has issued a stark warning, urging Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters to prepare for a more aggressive stance against the government. Speaking at a ceremony in Abbottabad, Gandapur criticized PTI founder Imran Khan for advocating peace, calling for a tougher approach in future protests.
“Imran Khan, for God’s sake, stop advocating for peace. Next time, we will not talk about peace. When we come out with weapons, we will show who runs away,” Gandapur declared. His fiery statement comes as PTI escalates its demands for accountability and justice over alleged government actions during past protests.
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Jailed PTI founder Imran Khan has threatened to launch a civil disobedience movement starting from the 16th of this month if the government fails to meet the party’s key demands. These demands include:
- A judicial inquiry into the crackdown on PTI protesters in November.
- The release of political prisoners.
- The formation of a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9, 2023.
Khan has also formed a five-member negotiation team, including Omar Ayub Khan, Ali Amin Gandapur, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Salman Akram Raja, and Asad Qaiser, to hold talks with political rivals.
The PTI’s November protest in Islamabad, which sought Khan’s release, ended abruptly following a midnight crackdown by the government. PTI claims that the operation resulted in the deaths of 12 party workers and the arrests of over 1,000 supporters.
However, government officials have denied the use of live ammunition, asserting that four security personnel, including three Rangers and a policeman, were martyred during the clashes. The incident has further fueled PTI’s allegations of government overreach and suppression of dissent.
During his address, Gandapur lashed out at the ruling coalition, labeling it a proponent of “fascism.” “Fascism has trampled on Pakistan’s Constitution, law, morality, and humanity,” he said, accusing the government of undermining democratic principles.
He also criticized federal ministers, including Information Minister Atta Tarar and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, for their remarks regarding the November protests and subsequent crackdown.
The intensifying political tensions coincide with legal actions taken by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against journalists and vloggers accused of spreading false narratives during the protests. The cases, filed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), target individuals allegedly involved in inciting violence and disseminating misinformation about state institutions.
Journalist Harmit Singh, one of the accused, faces charges of using social media to propagate “malicious content” against the state, particularly regarding events between November 24 and 27, 2024. FIA officials have stated that complaints undergo inquiry before formal charges are filed, but several named individuals have yet to receive official notices.
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