Gandapur challenges Salman to identify ‘party conspirators’

ISLAMABAD: Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Wednesday challenged PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja to name those he had accused of conspiring within the party, saying no one had the authority to question the loyalty of KP lawmakers to Imran Khan.

In a statement on X, Gandapur described Raja’s remarks as “regrettable, irresponsible and damaging” to party unity, questioning his authority to cast doubts on the loyalty of PTI lawmakers in KP at a time when the party was facing mounting political challenges.

“This party belongs to Imran Khan. We do not need loyalty certificates from anyone, nor does anyone have the authority to pass judgements on our political loyalty or hand us certificates of treason,” he said.

Gandapur said loyalty to the party could not be determined by individual preferences or pronouncements but should be judged by years of struggle, sacrifices and practical contributions.

Taking aim at Raja’s references to “undemocratic decision-makers” and an alleged conspiracy within the party, he demanded that the PTI secretary general identify those he was accusing.

“First, make it clear who these people are,” he said, challenging Raja to name the lawmakers allegedly seeking to decide the provincial party president or the next chief minister without the approval of Imran Khan or the party’s political committee.

“If you have evidence, name them,” he said.

He also questioned the allegation that a group within the party had cut off contact with Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and his team, potentially paving the way for emergency or governor’s rule in the province.

He asked who had ordered the reported investigation into the alleged conspiracy and which authorised party forum was conducting it.

“If an investigation is under way, why does the party not know about it,” he asked.

Referring to PTI KP president Junaid Akbar as “our brother”, he wished him a speedy recovery but questioned the reported appointment of Ali Asghar Khan as acting provincial president during Akbar’s absence.

He asked whether a formal notification had been issued and who had authorised the appointment, saying organisational decisions should be backed by a clear mandate.

Defending the party’s political record in KP, Gandapur said workers and lawmakers had stood by Imran Khan despite arrests, violence and hardships following the May 9 events.

He said the same workers and representatives had secured victory in the 2024 general elections, defended what they considered their electoral mandate and continued to fly the party flag despite sustained pressure.

Turning his criticism towards the party’s central leadership, he questioned the contribution of some office-bearers during repeated marches towards Islamabad, saying their performance at critical moments had fallen short of workers’ expectations.

“That too should be accounted for before the party,” he said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026