PESHAWAR: In a nail-biting election held within the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Ali Amin Gandapur, a distinguished leader associated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), emerged triumphant and clinched the coveted role of Chief Minister for the province on Friday.
Gandapur, running as an independent candidate with PTI’s backing, secured an impressive 90 votes, defeating his opponent, Dr. Ibadullah Khan of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), who managed to gather 16 votes. The election, conducted via secret balloting, officially designates Ali Amin Gandapur as the 22nd elected Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Endorsed by PTI’s founder, Imran Khan, Gandapur’s victory underscores the party’s substantial numerical strength, paving the way for his anticipated success in the leadership position in KP.
Addressing the assembly post-election, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur passionately called for the release of PTI founder Imran Khan, advocating for an open trial for the former prime minister. Expressing gratitude for the trust placed in him, Gandapur pledged to fulfill the expectations of the PTI founder.
Gandapur didn’t mince words as he criticized the electoral process, alleging the theft of his party’s mandate. He demanded the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) over the perceived failure to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections. Additionally, he urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to initiate a judicial inquiry into the events of May 9.
Ali Amin Gandapur Gives Ultimatum
, also gave an ultimatum to authorities to withdraw all purportedly fake FIRs against PTI party workers and innocent women arrested on May 9. Gandapur declared that if the cases are not proven within one week, stern consequences will follow, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to justice.
During his address, Chief Minister Gandapur asserted, “I give one week to prove the legitimacy of these cases. If you fail to do so, be prepared for consequences. I won’t leave you.”
اگر ایک ÛÙتے میں 9 مئی والی ای٠آئی آر Ûمارے ورکرز پر ختم Ù†Ûیں Ûوئی تو سزا Ú©Û’ لیے تیار Ûوجائیں۔
(علی امین گنڈا پور)#CMKPK #AliAminGandapur #PTI #PTIWon pic.twitter.com/v0K4nyFtd3— Nimra (@its_nimraa_) March 1, 2024
The newly-elected Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur emphasized PTI’s unwavering commitment to systemic change, ensuring justice for all, and voiced concerns over the challenges faced by the party, including the incarceration of Imran Khan.
This development follows recent appointments in the provincial assembly, with Babar Saleem Swati securing the position of speaker and Suraiya Bibi as the deputy speaker, both enjoying the backing of the majority of PTI-supported members. While the session maintained a calm demeanor, the continuous slogans in support of the PTI founder reflected the enduring political dynamics in the province.
