Talk with Afghanistan, Imran Khan Supports Ali Amin Gandapur.
Imran Khan, the founder of PTI, has voiced his support for Ali Amin Gandapur’s efforts to engage in dialogue with Afghanistan and promote peace. Speaking informally with journalists from Adiala Jail, Khan expressed his appreciation for Gandapur’s attempts to foster peace with Afghanistan. He suggested that Gandapur should be encouraged to pursue this dialogue, recommending that people advocate for his efforts.
Khan also recalled that during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure, Pervez Khattak was sent to Afghanistan for similar discussions. When questioned about the provincial government’s authority to engage directly with another country in the presence of the federal government and the Foreign Office, Khan argued that the Foreign Office’s mandate should not obstruct such efforts. He defended Gandapur’s initiatives to combat terrorism, criticizing those who dismissed them as misguided. Khan highlighted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been particularly hard-hit by terrorism and pointed out that Bilawal Bhutto, when he was Foreign Minister, did not visit Afghanistan. He also noted the significant number of police officers who have been martyred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past 24 years.
Khan emphasized that addressing terrorism should be a top priority and stressed that improving relations with Afghanistan is crucial to this effort. He supported Gandapur’s mission, arguing that Gandapur’s actions are in the country’s best interest, not against it. Khan questioned what steps the federal government has taken to address cross-border terrorism if it acknowledges the issue. He clarified that Gandapur had only proposed the idea of going to Afghanistan without setting a specific time.
Furthermore, Khan revealed that Ali Amin Gandapur had been taken away by the establishment, with his whereabouts unknown. He noted that the establishment has a history of detaining people. Gandapur is reportedly maintaining a low profile and not speaking out. Khan asserted that PTI is the only federal party capable of uniting the country and criticized Shahbaz Sharif for his dependency on approvals for every decision. He expressed concern that Sharif might also be at risk of being taken away.
The former Prime Minister also remarked that focusing solely on punitive measures is not a viable solution. He praised Maulana Fazlur Rehman for his stance against any extension, calling it praiseworthy. Khan expressed frustration at being misled by the establishment regarding the September 8 rally. He explained that, while he is confined in jail, the establishment had communicated through Azam Swati and Barrister Gohar early in the morning, requesting a postponement of the rally for the country’s sake and promising all necessary support. Khan described the events of September 8 as a significant betrayal.
