Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur warned the federal and Punjab governments on Tuesday that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would shut down the country if its founder, Imran Khan, faced any mistreatment in Adiala Jail.
These comments came after protests by Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, who raised concerns about inadequate facilities for her brother in prison, including unsanitary food that she claimed made him vomit, and the lack of power in his cell since October 3.
“The federal and Punjab governments are treating the PTI founder very poorly,” Gandapur said in a video posted on PTI’s official X account, highlighting the mistreatment Khan has experienced, such as restrictions on his meetings with family and party members.
He urged the nation to be prepared, declaring that “the government’s days are numbered.” He added, “We must remove this government by shutting down all of Pakistan and reclaim our stolen mandate,” warning that the government’s chances to evade accountability were running out.
In the video, he also criticized party members who had defected after the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, stating, “Those who betrayed Imran Khan for ‘money’ or out of ‘cowardice’ will be remembered as traitors—there will be no exceptions.”
Gandapur has been a prominent figure in the party’s protest activities and has taken a confrontational stance against the federal government regarding Khan’s ongoing imprisonment.
Some PTI leaders worry that Gandapur’s intense demeanor could lead to the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Party leader Sher Afzal Marwat expressed concerns the day before, saying, “They are giving the opposition reasons to undermine what remains of the provincial government.”
Despite PTI Chairman Gohar Khan confirming earlier this month that Khan was in “good health” following a medical team’s visit, the party continues to express worries about his well-being.
