Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur stated that the recent National Security Committee meeting was merely a presentation.

“I had already received this presentation, and everything there was updated for me because we regularly hold such meetings and are aware of these matters. However, what became clear from the discussions of others was that the mandate was stolen.”

Speaking exclusively on Aaj News’ programme “News Insight with Aamir Zia”, Gandapur revealed that he had asked Maulana Fazlur Rehman during the meeting but did not receive any answers.

“I asked Maulana Fazlur Rehman about his two contradictory statements. One, that he claimed to have toppled Imran Khan’s government, and the other, that he was summoned to do so. Which one is true? Secondly, if he and others say the mandate was stolen, then who stole it? There was no response.”

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He emphasised that tackling such challenges is extremely difficult without public trust.

“But one thing is clear: we are all on the same page about fighting and eliminating terrorism.”

Gandapur stated that it was discussed in the meeting that political stability in the country is impossible while Imran Khan remains in jail.

“I suggested that after Eid, we should hold a small meeting to define everyone’s responsibilities. We need clarity on what resources we have and how to utilize them effectively.”

He further said that past operations had caused more harm than benefit, as they led to a loss of public trust.

“Promises made to the people were not fulfilled. Many civilians, who were not terrorists, became victims.”

On relations with Afghanistan, he said, “If you don’t maintain good relations with Afghanistan, you cannot establish peace in this region — it’s a fact.”

He criticised the border security situation, saying, “Instead of a large-scale operation, focus on protecting our borders. We have spent billions on border fencing, but where is the fence? It has been broken in multiple places, allowing for smuggling, illegal crossings, and infiltration of terrorists and weapons.”

Public trust is essential to win this war

“Without public trust, this war cannot be won. I have been emphasising this from day one. The public is everywhere. Without them, no terrorist can build a hideout, set up a headquarters, or operate on roads.”

Gandapur strongly criticised past counter-terrorism policies, saying, “The policy of ‘Good Taliban vs. Bad Taliban’ has eroded public confidence. Even the police don’t trust these policies anymore.”

He added, “These so-called ‘Good Taliban’ are roaming freely, extorting money, carrying out attacks, setting up illegal checkpoints, resolving land disputes, taking commissions from contractors, and engaging in kidnappings for ransom. They are also involved in targeted killings. This has led to a trust deficit—people wonder who is really backing them. Even if I am not directly involved but support someone, trust in me will be lost.”

KP Police still standing firm

He highlighted the role of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police, stating, “Our police force exists and is fighting, proving that the government’s authority is intact. Public trust in my policies has grown to the extent that when terrorists attacked Karak, people took to the streets in support of the police, vowing not to spare the terrorists.”

Rejecting responsibility for previous governments’ failures, he said, “I am not accountable for the last ten years of governance in this province. I am responsible only for my one year. If there isn’t a significant improvement in the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) during my tenure, then I am accountable. The province has been burdened with Rs762 billion in debt, and I am the one repaying it.”

Provincial action plan completed

Gandapur stated that his provincial action plan is now complete, and the federal government understands it. “We are holding meetings, and whatever assistance we need from them, InshaAllah, we will receive.”

Criticising the governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said, “The governor keeps roaming around saying there is no law and order in the province and that Ali Amin is doing nothing. Your party is in power in Balochistan. Now that the situation there has deteriorated, what’s your excuse? Why can’t you control it?”

He also responded to PML-N leader Uzma Bukhari’s criticism. “She says I can’t control law and order, but her party can’t even control bandits in Punjab’s ‘kacha’ areas. The terrorists I am fighting have defeated superpowers — there’s a difference.”

Challenging Punjab’s law enforcement, he said, “Bring your Punjab police here and let my Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police go there. If a single bandit remains visible in the ‘kacha’ areas after five days, I’ll take responsibility. You deploy 26,000 policemen at checkpoints, while I, unarmed, travel wherever I wish. I have seen Islamabad police as well. They wouldn’t even stop my car; they would fire tear gas from a distance and run away.”

‘Imran Khan ready to forgive and negotiate’

Ali Amin Gandapur made a significant revelation, stating, “As of now, Imran Khan has said that for Pakistan, he forgives everyone and is willing to engage in talks. However, he will not support anything that weakens the country.”

He further disclosed, “On the other side — whether you call it the establishment, the system, or any other name — I have communicated with them, and they have agreed to all of this. Now, things are clear. If anyone backs out, I will expose them for not prioritising Pakistan but rather their own personal interests. Stop using Pakistan’s name — call it personal ego, personal gains, or personal relations, but do not associate it with Pakistan.”

He concluded by saying, “Now everyone is speechless — the system is speechless, and we are speechless. Soon, something will happen that will leave everyone speechless. We are very close, InshaAllah.”

Dismissing rumours circulating on social media, he asserted, “I have no political threat from Maulana Fazlur Rehman. When the issue is about resolving Imran Khan’s situation, such concerns seem trivial.”

He praised both Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Asif Ali Zardari, stating, “Zardari has a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach in politics, and Maulana can adapt anywhere. I have no political disputes with Maulana. He has one condition — to settle matters with Ali Amin. I am completely ready for that.”

In his concluding remarks, Gandapur shared an analogy: “The most dangerous thing is iron, which cuts everything. More dangerous than iron is fire, which melts it. More dangerous than fire is water, which extinguishes it. More dangerous than water is man, who drinks it. More dangerous than man is death, which ends him. But more dangerous than death is charity, which averts it. And even more dangerous than charity is our cleric, which devours even charity.”