K-P Rejects Claims Imran Sought Gandapur’s Resignation

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The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has dismissed reports alleging that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan demanded Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation over governance issues, affirming Gandapur’s leadership and loyalty to Khan’s vision.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, through a statement issued by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s office on August 3, 2025, strongly refuted media claims that Imran Khan, incarcerated at Adiala Jail, had urged Gandapur to step down if he failed to restore peace in the province. Faraz Mughal, the Chief Minister’s spokesperson, clarified that no credible source confirmed Khan’s alleged directive, emphasizing that Gandapur holds his position due to Khan’s trust. “The Chief Minister will step down whenever the PTI founder desires,” Mughal told The Express Tribune, underscoring Gandapur’s commitment to Khan’s mandate. The rebuttal addressed reports citing Khan’s concerns over 476 terror incidents in K-P in 2025, which claimed 121 civilian lives, as per police statistics reported by Geo News.

Gandapur himself rejected the resignation rumors, stating to The News that he governs with Khan’s confidence and the PTI’s mandate. He highlighted ongoing efforts to curb terrorism through tribal jirgas, a community-led initiative launched on August 2, 2025, at the Chief Minister’s House to foster peace in tribal districts. Mughal added that Gandapur has been unable to meet Khan due to restricted access at Adiala Jail, despite court-ordered visitation rights, raising concerns about legal compliance.

The controversy follows heightened security challenges in K-P, exacerbated since the Taliban’s 2021 resurgence in Afghanistan. The government’s statement criticized media speculation as attempts to destabilize PTI’s stronghold in K-P. Gandapur also dismissed claims that Khan intended to leave Pakistan, calling them “baseless propaganda” aimed at weakening PTI’s resolve, according to a statement reported by Dawn. The Chief Minister emphasized ongoing administrative efforts, including dialogues with Afghanistan to address cross-border tensions, as part of Khan’s vision for regional stability.

The K-P government remains focused on governance, with Gandapur asserting that PTI’s leadership is united under Khan. The statement urged the public to trust official sources and reject rumors undermining the provincial administration’s efforts to restore peace.