Rawalpindi, June 26, 2025 – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has signaled potential non-cooperation with the federal government on the upcoming International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, citing repeated denials of access to meet Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail.
Speaking to journalists outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail alongside Opposition Leader Omar Ayub and PTI Senator Shibli Faraz, Gandapur criticized jail authorities for blocking meetings with Khan, despite fulfilling all court-mandated formalities. “It is our constitutional right to meet our party leader, yet we are being stopped for security reasons,” he stated, calling the restrictions a violation of constitutional norms. Other PTI leaders, including Muzamil Aslam and Taimur Jhagra, were also denied access. Gandapur warned that such actions would influence KP’s stance on the IMF programme, stating, “We will take decisions based on our province’s situation, and we won’t attend finance-related meetings.”
The KP chief minister also addressed criticism surrounding the provincial budget for 2025-26, which included a Rs157 billion surplus as per IMF conditions. He defended the budget’s passage as necessary to avoid a constitutional crisis but acknowledged Imran Khan’s concerns about the surplus. Sources indicate Khan opposed the surplus, questioning why the federal government would provide funds if KP maintained such a reserve. Gandapur emphasized that Khan wanted increased allocations for education, health, and the environment, and clarified that he remains accountable solely to the PTI founder. “I follow his directives, and he has the right to give input on the budget,” he said.
The controversy follows remarks by Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, who criticized the budget’s approval without Imran Khan’s consent, labeling it a move to sideline the PTI leader. Gandapur rejected claims of disloyalty, asserting his commitment to Khan’s vision. He also accused the federal government of targeting PTI through fake FIRs, arrests, and excessive force during protests, warning that KP’s response to the IMF programme would mirror the Centre’s treatment of the party.
