Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Sunday declared that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s latest protest drive would be a decisive “do or die” campaign, determining the party’s future course.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore alongside Salman Akram Raja and other leaders, Gandapur stressed, “We have to decide within 90 days whether we want to continue politics or not. This movement will be do or die.”
His fiery remarks came a day after the PTI officially launched its anti-government campaign, which is expected to reach its peak by August 5. Among its chief aims is securing the release of party founder Imran Khan, who will mark two years in jail on that date.
This latest push comes after earlier negotiations with the government collapsed over forming a judicial commission to probe the May 9 riots and the November 2024 Islamabad protest.
Ever since Imran Khan’s ouster through a no-confidence vote in 2022, the PTI has been at odds with the former Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) alliance and the current PML-N-led coalition government.
Meanwhile, the party grapples with a slew of legal troubles. Imran Khan and several top PTI leaders—including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Yasmin Rashid, and Ejaz Chaudhry—remain imprisoned, facing multiple cases. Despite some jailed leaders expressing willingness for dialogue, Imran has firmly ruled out negotiations, insisting the only path forward is street protests.
Outlining the movement’s objectives, Gandapur said it would be steered by Imran himself, who still holds the party’s decision-making reins. “We are waging this struggle for the people of Pakistan. A fascist crackdown is underway against us, stripping us of our constitutional right to protest,” he asserted.
Gandapur announced plans to seek permission for a rally in Lahore, urging authorities to allow it without providing any facilities. He also pledged to facilitate anyone wishing to hold rallies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
On reconciliation, the KP chief minister said Imran was open to talks, but only with the “real decision makers,” urging that negotiations take place within 90 days to resolve existing crises. “We are prepared to accept punishment for our mistakes, but the law should apply equally to all,” he remarked.
Taking a swipe at JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Gandapur challenged him to contest elections against his brother, saying, “If Maulana can’t win, he should quit politics.” This was in response to Fazlur Rehman’s suggestion that change should come from within PTI in KP—hinting at possible moves for a no-confidence motion against Gandapur’s government.
