ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, in an attempt to justify his administration’s decision to pass the KP budget without Imran Khan’s approval, said the move was necessary to avoid a constitutional crisis.
Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail on Thursday, Gandapur portrayed himself as a ‘loyal soldier of Imran Khan,’ stating that he is ready to dissolve the KP Assembly whenever the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder instructs him to do so.
“Imran Khan has the mandate. This is his government. We are only protecting it until he decides otherwise,” he said.
He claimed the budget was passed in the province’s best interest. “Do we carry the burden of the entire country? We’ll decide what’s best for our province. The budget was necessary to prevent a constitutional collapse, and any plans to derail it have failed.”
The chief minister and his cabinet have faced criticism since the passage of the KP budget, as Imran Khan had instructed them not to proceed without his consultation.
To defend his decision, Gandapur cited another reason: he was not allowed to meet Imran Khan. “If they don’t facilitate a meeting with our leader, what option are we left with?” he asked.
Gandapur revealed that a formal request with a list of names had been submitted to seek permission to meet Khan in jail as per court orders, but it was still denied citing ‘precautionary measure’. “We were treated like terrorists. This is an abuse of the law and constitution,” he remarked.
The KP chief minister warned that if the federal government continues to deny political space, a similar stance would be taken when the upcoming IMF negotiations begin. “We are not attending any finance committee meetings. I have already boycotted them,” he said.
Gandapur also announced plans to approach the Supreme Court on Imran Khan’s directive, adding that denying access to the party founder was a violation of constitutional rights.
He lamented the state of governance, saying, “There is no rule of law in the country. Institutions are being misused. The judiciary is not independent. Even as a sitting chief minister, I’ve been denied the right to visit any jail.”
Worry not about Imran Khan, Gohar tells Aleema Khan
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said that no power in the world can exclude Imran Khan from national politics, asserting that he remains the central figure in the country’s political landscape.
There is No power in the world can minus Imran Khan, Says chairman PTI Barrister Gohar today in #Islambad pic.twitter.com/0ATLsE2ZJ5
— Malik Ali Raza (@MalikAliiRaza) June 26, 2025
Replying to a reporter’s question at Parliament House, Gohar reassured Imran Khan’s family, especially his sister Aleema Khan that “there should be no misunderstandings…our leader cannot be sidelined or ignored; he is irreplaceable.”
Gohar stressed that the PTI founder is not only the focal point of Pakistani politics but also the nucleus around which the political narrative revolves. “His name dominates every platform; he continues to capture the public’s attention.”