Ali Amin Gandapur Defends Police Action in Red Zone, Claims KP Has Achieved Economic Surplus Without Loans

Islamabad: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur stated that the recent police shelling on PPP workers was not conducted on his orders but in accordance with Red Zone SOPs. Speaking to the media during his appearance at the Islamabad High Court, Gandapur emphasized that PPP workers attempted to enter the Red Zone, which is governed by specific standard operating procedures that necessitated action.
He further said that while political parties have the right to protest, there are protocols for sensitive areas. He cited that JUI-F conducted five rallies during the past 15 months, for which the KP government provided full security, but when it came to entering the Red Zone, they too were stopped.
Gandapur criticized the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), claiming it projects itself as a democratic party but has politically sidelined its own founder, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. He reiterated that there are no cases against PTI’s founding leader, yet he is unjustly imprisoned. “Those currently in power have stolen PTI’s mandate and are being controlled by individuals who once imposed martial law in the country,” he alleged.
Highlighting his government’s economic performance, the KP Chief Minister claimed that the province has achieved a surplus of over PKR 200 billion without acquiring any loans. He questioned why provinces like Sindh and Balochistan, which are governed by PPP, failed to generate similar surpluses. Gandapur also mentioned that even the IMF has acknowledged KP’s economic performance.
“Our government has met all its targets. We have not taken any loans, and yet we are in surplus. This is in stark contrast to the provinces under PPP rule,” he concluded.