Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Gandapur Slams Horse-Trading, Pledges Crackdown on PTI Rebels

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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has fiercely condemned horse-trading within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, vowing strict disciplinary action against rebellious members who defied party directives during the recent Senate elections. Speaking on July 20, 2025, Gandapur labeled such betrayals as “donkey trading,” signaling a hardline stance to restore party discipline and loyalty to PTI founder Imran Khan’s vision.

The controversy erupted as PTI faced internal dissent over Senate ticket allocations, leading to a boycott by some Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs). Gandapur, addressing a press conference in Peshawar, declared, “Defying the party founder is defying the party itself” (@peshavar, X post, July 20, 2025). This followed PTI’s loss of one Senate seat due to rebel candidates, a blow to the party’s dominance in KP’s 145-member assembly. The Chief Minister’s fiery rhetoric underscored his frustration with internal sabotage, warning that PTI would not tolerate disloyalty. “We will act decisively against those who undermine our mandate,” he asserted, emphasizing that the party’s strength lies in its unity under Khan’s leadership.

The Senate election drama unfolded after the oath-taking of 25 reserved-seat MPAs, which resolved a standoff threatening the polls. The opposition, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), had secured a Peshawar High Court (PHC) ruling to ensure the oaths, bypassing PTI’s attempt to delay through a quorum objection. Gandapur’s condemnation of horse-trading reflects deeper tensions, as PTI accuses rivals of manipulating the system while grappling with its own dissenters. Law Minister Aftab Alam noted, “Our lawmakers’ discontent cost us dearly,” admitting the boycott’s impact.

Gandapur’s pledge to crack down on rebels aligns with his broader push for reform, including the Sehat Insaf Card expansion and anti-corruption measures. However, his confrontational style, including past threats to dissolve the assembly, has drawn criticism from opponents like PML-N’s Amir Muqam, who called his tactics “shameful” (The News, September 10, 2024). As PTI navigates this internal crisis, Gandapur’s resolve to enforce discipline will test the party’s cohesion and its ability to maintain KP’s mandate amid a turbulent political landscape.