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Gandapur Dismisses Speculation About His Replacement as KP CM

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has firmly ruled out any possibility of his removal, dismissing speculation that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan might replace him. He highlighted that under his leadership, the province has achieved a 49 percent increase in revenue within just one year—an unprecedented milestone.

Speaking to journalists at the Chief Minister’s House on Monday, Gandapur provided an overview of his government’s performance over the past year. He criticized previous administrations for mismanaging resources and making exaggerated claims, asserting that his team had steered KP towards financial stability.

“When we took charge, KP was in severe financial distress, burdened with liabilities. However, through our commitment and hard work, we have successfully put the province on the right track,” he said. “No other government in the world has ever achieved a 49 percent revenue increase in just one year.”

No Rift with PTI Leadership

Gandapur’s remarks included criticism of past PTI-led governments in KP, leading to questions about whether this could upset Imran Khan. He responded by saying that his statements were based on facts and not personal opinions.

“I have no personal agenda—facts are facts. Imran Khan does not support dishonesty. There is no division in the party. If I am serving as chief minister today, it is because of his trust and support,” he clarified.

He also emphasized his strong working relationship with newly appointed PTI provincial president Junaid Akbar, pledging full support to strengthen the party. Addressing rumors of a cabinet reshuffle, he stated that he was unaware of any imminent changes, adding that Imran Khan had personally selected the cabinet members.

Talks with Afghanistan on Security Concerns

Gandapur revealed that he had urged the federal government to engage with Afghan authorities regarding cross-border terrorism, given KP’s long border with Afghanistan and its history of suffering from militant violence.

“As Pakistanis, we want peace in our country. However, KP has paid a heavy price in the war against terror. That’s why I pushed for a high-level delegation to visit Kabul for discussions,” he said.

Initially, the federal government declined his request, but it has now agreed to the proposal. “Terms of reference for the visit are being finalized in Islamabad. Very soon, the delegation will travel to Kabul for talks with Afghan leaders,” he added.

Police Leadership Changes

Regarding the recent replacement of KP’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Gandapur confirmed that he was consulted before the federal government made the decision.

“I submitted a summary with three candidates for the new police chief, and the federal government selected one of them. I am satisfied with the appointment,” he said. He praised newly appointed IGP Zulfiqar Hameed as a highly professional officer with a strong investigative background.

Revamping the Sehat Card Program

Discussing healthcare reforms, Gandapur noted that when he assumed office, the Sehat Card program was suspended due to Rs20 billion in outstanding liabilities.

“The previous government had included hospitals in the scheme without ensuring they met basic standards. We cleared all outstanding payments to the insurance company and ensured that only top-tier hospitals were included in the program,” he stated.

Under the previous administration, only 26 percent of the Sehat Card budget went to public-sector hospitals, as poor management and lack of trust in government facilities led patients to seek treatment elsewhere.

“We took corrective measures, increased rates for certain surgical procedures by 30 percent, and now 66 percent of the Sehat Card budget is directed to public-sector hospitals,” he explained.

Additionally, the KP government has saved Rs900 million in medicine procurement through better financial management. “We ensured cost-effective procurement without compromising quality,” he said.

Looking Ahead

Gandapur remains confident in his leadership, asserting that KP’s economic and governance reforms speak for themselves. His focus remains on improving financial stability, strengthening healthcare, and addressing security concerns, while maintaining strong ties with the PTI leadership.

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