Chief Minister Details Escape from Arrest and Threatens Federal Action
In a dramatic session of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur recounted how he evaded arrest following a police raid at the Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad.
He warned the federal government to dismiss the Inspector General of Police, Islamabad, responsible for the raid or face another protest rally led by him towards the capital.
Gandapur shared the challenges he faced while leading a protest rally to D-Chowk in Islamabad, including his escape from the capital to Peshawar via the Hazara and Malakand divisions. His account differed from the one he provided during a previous assembly session.
“I hid on the rooftop of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House for about four hours before jumping the wall at night,” he explained. He recounted being picked up by his driver and reaching the home of a District Police Officer in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, covering several districts without any official protocol, money, or a personal mobile phone.
The chief minister claimed he witnessed the ransacking of the Pakhtunkhwa House and the mistreatment of staff by Rangers, asserting that this violated the sanctity of the establishment and disrespected the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a crucial part of Pakistan.
Despite his grievances, Gandapur expressed gratitude towards the Pakistan Army, stationed in Islamabad, stating he ended his protest to avoid a clash with them. He announced the formation of a committee to provide legal assistance to arrested party workers who showed loyalty and commitment to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) during the rally.
Opposition leader Ahmad Karim Kundi of the Pakistan Peoples Party dismissed Gandapur’s narrative as lies, labeling him a coward for abandoning his party workers. Kundi criticized Gandapur for blaming the Punjab and Islamabad police while simultaneously praising the Army. He called for an in-camera meeting to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation in the province.
Tensions escalated during the assembly session, leading to a scuffle among guests of two North Waziristan MPAs, resulting in police arrests. The assembly session was adjourned until Monday afternoon, October 14, amid ongoing disputes and political tension in the region.
