In a notable development aimed at thawing tensions, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, representing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), convened a meeting with Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday. During the meeting, Gandapur urged the Prime Minister to initiate political dialogue with the founder of his party, Imran Khan.
Speaking to reporters alongside Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal following their meeting at the Prime Minister House, Gandapur characterized his interaction with Shehbaz as “constructive.” He mentioned that he had urged the Prime Minister to lift the ban on visiting Imran and other detainees in Adiala Jail.
Imran, a former prime minister, is currently detained in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail on various charges, including corruption and terrorism. Recently, authorities imposed a two-week ban on visits to the PTI founder due to security concerns.
Gandapur stated that he had requested the Prime Minister to lift the ban on visiting Imran to discuss the upcoming Senate elections with the PTI’s founder. He added that Shehbaz had agreed to his request, granting permission to meet Imran in jail.
During the meeting, Gandapur urged Shehbaz Sharif, the president of the PTI’s primary political opponent, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), to “engage politically” with Imran Khan. Gandapur believed that such engagement between Shehbaz and Imran could lead to a political resolution.
Describing it as his inaugural meeting with the prime minister, Gandapur stated that discussions also covered the law and order situation and other public issues. He expressed satisfaction with the Prime Minister’s assurance of full cooperation from the federal government to address these matters.
The K-P chief minister mentioned that Shehbaz had assured him that all dues owed to K-P would be settled. He relayed the Prime Minister’s commitment to honoring promises and instructed officers to provide a feasible timeline for resolution.
Echoing Gandapur’s sentiments, Ahsan Iqbal deemed the talks between Prime Minister Shehbaz and the K-P chief minister positive. He confirmed that Shehbaz had assured Gandapur of settling the province’s dues and directed the finance ministry to engage with K-P officials on this matter.
Iqbal, also a senior PML-N leader, added that Shehbaz had instructed addressing difficulties faced by the people of K-P during “Sehr and Iftar times,” including gas and power outages. Furthermore, Shehbaz proposed the formation of a joint team with the federal government to resolve provincial issues.
During the hour-long meeting, Gandapur also pressed for the appointment of a new chief secretary for K-P and the release of its funds, suggesting Shahab Ali Shah for the chief secretary role.
The meeting between Shehbaz and Gandapur is perceived as an attempt at reconciliation between the top political rivals, PML-N and PTI. They discussed various other matters during the meeting as well
