Following a raid at KP House, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders reported losing contact with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. The federal government clarified on Sunday that Gandapur was not in custody of any federal agency. According to officials, Gandapur has been in self-imposed hiding since Saturday, remaining unreachable since the previous night.
Gandapur’s sudden disappearance has stirred speculation, raising questions about his status amid ongoing PTI protests in Islamabad. Speaking at a press conference alongside KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi acknowledged that law enforcement had conducted multiple raids at KP House, suspecting Gandapur might be there. However, he confirmed that the chief minister was not found at the location.
Naqvi stated that Gandapur is not in custody of any federal or other institution, adding that the PTI leader was last seen fleeing from KP House on surveillance footage. If he remains in Islamabad, he is sought by police.
Governor Kundi commented that Gandapur had gone into self-imposed hiding and noted an emergency session of the KP Assembly was called to discuss the situation. He also raised concerns about possible involvement of Afghan nationals in PTI’s protests, claiming it was alarming that terrorists may have been brought in.
The KP government has since filed a writ petition in the Peshawar High Court, seeking clarity on Gandapur’s disappearance. KP Advocate General Shah Faisal confirmed the filing and requested prompt court intervention. Meanwhile, Gandapur’s brother and KP CM’s Adviser on Information reported unsuccessful attempts to contact him.
As PTI protests continued, clashes erupted between demonstrators and police in Islamabad. Tear gas was used against the protestors who, in turn, retaliated with slingshots. The protests also spread to Lahore, causing major disruptions due to roadblocks, altercations, and suspended metro services.
In response to the ongoing unrest, the Islamabad High Court ordered authorities to allocate a specific site for PTI’s demonstration, ensuring that protests do not disrupt peace or impede the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The order came after a petition sought to prevent unlawful gatherings in the federal capital.
In a tragic development, Constable Hameed Shah, who was injured during the protests, passed away from his injuries. Interior Minister Naqvi announced that one of Shah’s sons would be given a job in the police force, and his family would receive a housing plot in compensation.
