PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur alleged that PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan played a central role in sowing division within the party.
In a video message released after meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan in Adiala jail, Gandapur said that it was his first meeting with the former prime minsiter in a long time.
He said that ahead of the provincial budget, cabinet changes had been discussed with Asad Qaiser and Shahram Tarakai, and later with Imran Khan, after which key decisions were conveyed to provincial ministers Aqibullah Khan and Faisal Tarakai.
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“Both ministers agreed to the decisions and tendered their resignations,” he added, describing it as a routine matter with more changes expected.
The chief minister said that in recent months, Imran Khan’s sisters had been meeting him who was relaying instructions through them.
Gandapur claimed he informed Khan about the growing rifts in the party, saying a campaign had been launched branding him, cabinet members, and MPAs as traitors over budget matters.
He alleged that Aleema Khan played a “central role” in fostering division in the PTI by pitching the “minus-Imran Khan” narrative, which he said had demoralised the party.
Gandapur further alleged that some vloggers targeting the PTI and spreading rifts were in contact with Aleema Khan and that instead of stopping them, she encouraged them.
He also claimed that journalist Hafeezullah Niazi and his relatives were writing articles under the title “Prime Minister Aleema Khan.”
He said that a campaign was also under way to make her party chairperson. “I told Khan Sahib that all his decisions were acceptable to us, but such campaigns and divisions were damaging the party. If Khan Sahib appoints a family member as chairperson, we have no objection,” he said.
Referring to past events, Gandapur said that Imran Khan was already aware of what happened on November 26, as his wife Bushra Bibi had informed him of the details. He said he urged the PTI founder to issue directives that would unite the party.
On the May 9 riots, Gandapur claimed those punished were not present at the sites of violence, alleging that Aleema Khan’s son was there but received bail within three days. He also told Khan that anyone maintaining contacts with state institutions was undermining his mission.
He went on to allege that, according to his information, intelligence agencies were facilitating Aleema Khan. “I have told my leader the truth as proof of my loyalty,” Gandapur said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Aleema Khan spoke to the media outside Adiala jail, claiming Gandapur had told Imran Khan that she had links with an intelligence agency, to become party chairperson, and was controlling PTI’s social media. She said Imran Khan laughed while narrating Gandapur’s claims to her.