Gandapur dared the Center to impose Governor’s rule in KP.

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Friday dared the federal government to impose Governor’s rule in the province.

We are not interested in power and positions. We cannot be swayed by the threat of Governor’s rule. Just go ahead,” he said while addressing the KP Assembly session late at night.

Speaking in the House, which met three hours behind schedule, he complained that whenever the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) started protests, its workers faced repression and firing. He complained that “if the workers of a peaceful political party hold a rally to demand the release of the party leader, bullets are fired at the protest participants”.

The Chief Minister alleged that PTI protesters were fired upon in Chongi No. 26. Don’t stage red zone and D Chowk dramas. We were fired upon even from these points,” he said, adding that the PTI was facing attacks from conspirators everywhere who had joined hands against the party.

Referring to the use of force against PTI workers, Gandapur reminded the federal government, “We have both arms and money.”

The Chief Minister said that they came under fire at different squares of the federal capital.

“Let me put it on record that this time like in the past, the CCTV cameras will be found to be inoperative,” he said, fearing that nothing would come out if an inquiry into the violence in Islamabad was called for.

He said that firing on protesters was not the first time. He alleged that this was done in 1977 during the Bhutto era and in Model Town of Lahore.

The Chief Minister said that the people of KP are worried because of terrorism, asking why they are going through this situation.

Earlier, the Chief Minister had announced Rs 10 million per person for the next of kin of the PTI workers who allegedly died during the protest in Islamabad. Sources said that the Chief Minister announced this in the parliamentary party meeting before the Khyber Assembly meeting.

Sources say some key leaders including Asad Qaiser, Muhammad Atif Khan, Ali Muhammad Khan, Shahram Tarakai and Shakeel Khan did not attend the meeting, indicating differences within the party.