Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has asserted that Maulana Fazlur Rehman no longer holds influence over the Taliban and that he is willing to lead negotiations.

“Give me the task, and I will bring them to the table,” he said, emphasising that dialogue with the Taliban is the only viable solution.

Speaking at an Iftar gathering with journalists at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad, he also stressed that the release of PTI founder Imran Khan is crucial for political stability in the country.

He believes Khan’s release will help calm the political climate and put an end to the culture of blame games.

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Gandapur highlighted his government’s effective counterterrorism measures and efforts to improve law and order in the province.

He pointed out that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s revenue has reached Rs169 billion, marking a significant economic achievement.

The chief minister also stated that the PTI-led administration successfully repaid debts while investing heavily in developmental projects and governance reforms.

Referring to Pakistan’s need for a national dialogue, Gandapur stressed that public trust is essential for winning the fight against terrorism.

He said that he had submitted a plan for negotiations with the Taliban two and a half months ago, but no action had been taken.

“I have already presented a strategy involving tribal elders from all agencies to the Foreign Office, Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Defence, yet I have received no response,” he said. According to him, the Taliban cannot refuse negotiations led by tribal elders.

“If given the task, I will be seen sitting with Akhundzada tomorrow,” he declared, adding that he currently has no direct contact with the Taliban but is ready to engage if sent for talks.

He also criticised Maulana Fazlur Rehman, stating that the cleric had only maintained ties with the lower ranks of the Taliban leadership.

Expressing concerns over the recent military operation, the KP chief minister claimed it had harmed the province without yielding any tangible benefits. He emphasised that he had not granted approval for the operation and that it was time to move away from blame games toward practical solutions.

Gandapur also touched upon the country’s political instability, insisting that Pakistan desperately needs stability.

He reiterated that Imran Khan’s release would contribute to a more stable political environment. Furthermore, he pointed out that corruption remains rampant, citing past financial irregularities exceeding Rs200 billion.

“Simply monitoring government activities has already uncovered numerous cases of corruption,” he added.

Taking a jab at Punjab’s financial management, he claimed that the province is currently facing a deficit of Rs130 billion, whereas KP has successfully maintained good governance. “Punjab should learn governance from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he remarked.

Gandapur noted that the PTI government had reinstated the previously suspended health card program and is now saving Rs900 million to Rs1 billion per month. By renegotiating contracts with companies, the government has achieved an annual saving of Rs11 billion.

He said that when his government took office, there wasn’t enough money to pay employees’ salaries for even fifteen days, and law and order were in a precarious state. However, he asserted that KP now has Rs169 billion in revenue.

Addressing Imran Khan’s stance, Gandapur said the PTI founder’s vision is rooted in sovereignty and self-reliance. He added that when PTI took over, the government had Rs72 billion in debt, which has now been repaid, allowing room for investments in development projects and universities.

While acknowledging past administrative failures, the chief minister argued that fighting corruption requires more than just rhetoric — it demands concrete action. He vowed to take stricter measures against corruption, labelling it a “cancer” that must be eradicated from society.