Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has accused the authorities of stopping his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), from holding peaceful protests.
At the provincial assembly, Gandapur said the government used force to suppress their right to protest. He also criticized the restrictions on their rallies, saying they were only allowed to gather in areas like cattle markets. “Peaceful protest is our democratic right,” he said.
Gandapur described how the police used force during the recent protests, including shelling and blocking roads. “Before we even arrived, shelling had started. Roads were closed, and trenches were dug to stop us,” he explained. Despite this, he said his convoy of 250 vehicles managed to push past police and reach D-Chowk in Islamabad.
Gandapur also accused the Islamabad police chief of escalating the situation, claiming that Rangers and police fired shots at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House. “It felt like they were treating us like terrorists,” he said.
He demanded that the Islamabad Inspector General be removed and warned of further actions if his demand wasn’t met.
The Chief Minister emphasized that his protest was peaceful and not meant to cause violence. He said, “We do not want to harm anyone. We are not fighting with our own people.”
Gandapur also expressed support for party members who were arrested during the protests. He promised to work for their release and ensure justice is served. “I can forgive what is done to me, but I will not forgive the mistreatment of my workers,” he stated.
