Shafi Jan Challenges Gandapur To Name 30 MPAs Backing Him
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafiullah Jan has questioned claims that a significant number of lawmakers are supporting former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur, insisting there is no major crisis within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the province.
Speaking on Samaa TV’s programme Nadeem Malik Live, Shafi Jan challenged Gandapur to publicly identify the lawmakers he says are backing him.
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“Ali Amin Gandapur is claiming to have 30 people with him, so tell us their names,” the minister said, rejecting suggestions of a large-scale division within the party.
He stated that the recent PTI parliamentary party meeting was attended by 75 lawmakers, while 17 members were absent. According to him, many of those who did not attend had valid reasons, including foreign travel and religious commitments.
“Five members are abroad, three are performing Hajj and two are in South Africa,” he said, adding that the meeting was held in a positive and constructive atmosphere.
Shafi Jan also strongly defended Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and dismissed speculation regarding his political future. He said Afridi had not made commitments to any group and maintained that no one could remove him from his position.
The provincial minister further rejected reports suggesting that dozens of lawmakers had submitted affidavits in support of an alternative political arrangement within the party.
“It is said that there are affidavits of 28 members. Bring even one in front of us,” he remarked.
Warning party lawmakers against deviating from the political direction set by PTI founder Imran Khan, Shafi Jan said those who move away from the party leadership risk losing public support. He argued that several prominent politicians who left PTI had gradually disappeared from the political scene, while loyal members continued to enjoy backing from supporters.
Referring to PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat, he said the MNA still considered Imran Khan his leader despite differences within the party.
Shafi Jan stressed that securing the release of the jailed PTI founder remains one of the party’s top priorities alongside governance and administrative matters. He said PTI has carried out protests, sit-ins, rallies and various outreach efforts in pursuit of that objective.
According to the minister, party leaders have engaged with different institutions and political figures but have not yet achieved the desired outcome.
He added that PTI has formally requested permission to meet Imran Khan before discussions on the upcoming provincial budget. If approval for the meeting is not granted, the matter will be discussed internally within the party, he said.
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