CM Gandapur should resign if unable to restore peace in KP: Imran Khan

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has reportedly called on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to resign if he is unable to restore law and order or address governance challenges in the province, according to sources cited by local media outlet.

"If Ali Amin Gandapur cannot restore peace, he should step down," Khan was quoted as saying from Adiala Jail, where he has been incarcerated since August 2023. He further suggested that if governance issues remain unresolved, someone else should be given the opportunity to lead.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has experienced a surge in violence in recent months. A police report indicated that 476 incidents of terrorism were reported across the province during the first seven months of 2025. These attacks resulted in the deaths of 121 civilians, injuries to 301 others, and the loss of 66 police personnel. Additional casualties included 10 Levies personnel, 48 Frontier Corps troops, and 55 members of other security forces.

Meanwhile, sources said Khan’s jail privileges have been reinstated. He has regained access to books and newspapers and was allowed a one-hour phone conversation with his children the previous day. During the call, Khan reportedly learned that their National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOPs) had expired. He clarified that he never instructed his sons, Suleiman and Kasim Khan, to travel to Pakistan or join political protests.

This follows earlier comments from Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, who said the brothers would participate in upcoming protests demanding the former prime minister’s release. However, conflicting reports later suggested Khan had barred them from doing so—claims the PTI has since denied.