PML-N Spokesperson Criticizes PTI’s Leadership for Gandapur’s Dismissal
Pakistan’s political landscape was shaken recently when Punjab’s Senior Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson, Maryam Aurangzeb, publicly criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership for the dismissal of Ali Amin Gandapur as the provincial president. According to Maryam, Gandapur’s loyalty to Imran Khan was overshadowed by complaints from Bushra Bibi, ultimately leading to his removal.
In a strongly worded press statement, Maryam took aim at PTI Chairman Imran Khan, accusing him of prioritizing personal gain over loyalty within the party. She lamented Imran Khan’s alleged history of using individuals for his own objectives and then discarding them when they were no longer useful, comparing it to being discarded like “tissue paper.” Maryam claimed that Gandapur had been actively involved in significant anti-government campaigns but was removed from party leadership as soon as his loyalty ceased to be beneficial to Khan.
Maryam also highlighted other individuals, such as Jahangir Tareen, Aleem Khan, and Akbar Babar, who she claimed had been similarly mistreated by Khan’s “opportunistic politics.” She emphasized that Imran Khan’s alleged betrayal extended even to those who had made significant sacrifices for him, asserting that no old friend, leader, or supporter remained by his side in the present day.
Following Gandapur’s departure as PTI’s provincial president, Junaid Akbar, a member of the National Assembly, was appointed to fill the role. This key leadership change was announced by PTI leader Salman Akram Raja during a media briefing in Rawalpindi. Raja clarified that Gandapur’s decision to step down from the position was voluntary, allowing him to focus entirely on his responsibilities as the chief minister amidst various challenges, particularly concerning law and order in the province.
The transition in leadership was reportedly deliberated during a meeting between Junaid Akbar and PTI Chairman Imran Khan, with several senior party figures in attendance, including Atif Khan, Malik Ahmad Khan Bachhar, and Mian Farhat Abbas. The decision was framed as aligning with Gandapur’s request to prioritize governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, further solidifying the party’s commitment to overcoming pressing issues in the region.
In the wake of these developments, Maryam Aurangzeb urged the public to recognize and understand Imran Khan’s alleged nature, cautioning against involvement in what she described as “future conspiracies against the state.” The political landscape in Pakistan continues to evolve, with each shift in leadership providing new insights into the dynamics at play within the country’s major political parties.
