Incommunicado KP CM Gandapur reappears after brief absence

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has reached Peshawar, the party confirmed, after a brief disappearance in Islamabad amid a crackdown against the PTI leader over the alleged violation of public gathering law.

The KP government spokesperson Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, said that Ali Amin Gandapur had not been in touch with the provincial leadership since 3 pm on Monday when he left for Islamabad. Talking to the private channel, he feared the possible arrest of the KP Chief Minister.

In a tweet posted late on Monday night, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub said Gandapur was being held incommunicado by the federal government/establishment after being invited for a cup of tea. “His [Gandapur’s] security staff is not traceable, and their phones are powered off,” he said.

“This is the state of affairs in Pakistan today. Our party Chairman was arrested, MNAs arrested and some taking protection inside Parliament House with a heavy Police contingent outside, bogus FIRs registered against the Leader of the Opposition and Parliamentary Leader, and arrest is imminent,” he lamented.

Gandapur’s brother Faisal Amin Khan, in a post on X, confirmed establishing contact with the KP Chief Minister.

PTI lawyer Naeem Haider Panjutha also confirmed that CM Gandapur had arrived back at Islamabad’s KP House, claiming he had been released.

“Ali Amin has reached back to KP House and is fine. Thank you all for raising your voice and ensuring his release,” he wrote on X.

In a separate tweet on Midnight, Panjutha said the KP CM would depart for Peshawar from KP House.

According to sources, Gandapur was busy in various meetings in Islamabad during incommunicado for over six hours, discussing law and order issues in the province.

Upon his return, Gandapur held a Zoom meeting with PTI leaders, updating them on the arrest of party workers. Barrister Saif confirmed reestablishing contact with Gandapur after his return to Peshawar.

The incident occurred amid a crackdown by Islamabad police on PTI leadership, following alleged violations of the public gathering law during a party rally on Sunday.

Several PTI leaders were arrested, and heavy police contingents were deployed outside parliament, with entry and exit routes to the Red Zone restricted area.