KP Chief Minister’s Remarks Draw Widespread Condemnation, PTI Issues Apology
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur faced heavy criticism on Monday following his controversial remarks about the media, women, and the Punjab chief minister. The backlash prompted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan to issue an unconditional apology for the language used by Gandapur during a public meeting the previous day.
After journalists covering the National Assembly walked out in protest, Barrister Gohar addressed the house and met with reporters to express his regret. He emphasized PTI’s long-standing positive relationship with the media and acknowledged the inappropriate nature of Gandapur’s comments. He added that Gandapur had personally reached out to journalists and would meet with reporters to apologize.
Media Condemns Remarks
Journalist organizations, including the National Press Club (NPC), Karachi Press Club (KPC), and the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), strongly condemned the derogatory remarks made by the KP chief minister, especially those targeting women in the media. The KPC expressed that such language and threats were unacceptable and announced a boycott of Gandapur’s media coverage in Karachi until he issued a formal apology.
The NPC also called for clarity from the chief minister, urging him to refrain from making false accusations against the media. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) weighed in, criticizing Gandapur’s remarks, particularly those directed at women journalists. The HRCP emphasized the importance of freedom of expression and called on political leaders to avoid using inflammatory rhetoric.
Political Reactions
The Punjab government also reacted strongly, accusing Gandapur of crossing a line during the rally. Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari challenged Gandapur’s statements and criticized his aggressive remarks, particularly regarding an alleged attack on Punjab. She highlighted that the province and its police force were well-prepared to handle such threats and called on Gandapur’s family to advise him against using offensive language toward women.
Separately, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar condemned Gandapur’s comments, calling them an insult to Pakhtun culture, which is rooted in respect for women. Speaking alongside the Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Engineer Amir Muqam, Tarar noted that Gandapur’s outburst against political opponents and journalists reflected a disregard for tradition. He urged the media to take a stand against the abusive language and assured journalists that the government would support any actions taken against PTI leaders for their inappropriate comments.
In summary, Gandapur’s remarks have sparked widespread condemnation across the political spectrum, with many calling for accountability and respect for democratic values, the media, and women.
