By: Ghulam Hussain Ghazi
Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, in his recent statements, made it clear that the cause of party differences and grouping is not his person but rather an old pattern and a result of circumstances. He conveyed a message to workers and leaders that instead of being entangled in mutual grievances, they should promote unity and solidarity, because that is in the interest of both the party and the people. This is not merely a political clarification but a pointer towards a living reality. The seeds of discord were sown years ago and what we see today are simply the effects.
The aspect of Ali Amin Gandapur’s innocence lies in the fact that while he acknowledged the presence of differences, he did not place the blame on himself. It is fair to say that a lack of political outreach, the arrests and imprisonments of leaders and workers, the pressure on the party chief and the lack of transparency in central decision-making envisaged all the intensified tensions. These are outcomes of the current harsh circumstances, not the conspiracy of any single individual. His call for unity among workers is proof that he is trying to resolve the crisis rather than fuel it.
It must also be acknowledged that he took charge of the province at an extremely delicate moment. Opposition parties are in power in the center and in other provinces. The central leadership of the party is under immense pressure and the political environment is rife with uncertainty. In such conditions, instead of merely enjoying the trappings of office, the Chief Minister prioritized public service and practical reforms. Under his tenure, development activity was initiated across almost all departments. The Health Card scheme was further improved so that poor citizens could get treatment from the doctors and hospitals of their choice. This facility stands in sharp contrast to other provinces where such a public service was completely scrapped. He also immediately established purposeful contacts with the center for the rightful share and financial resources of the province.
Similarly, under his supervision, the pace of development projects was accelerated. Special attention was given to the construction and rehabilitation of roads, schools and hospitals in backward districts. To ensure transparency in governance, e-governance was launched so that people could access services directly. The agricultural sector was given focus: provision of seeds and fertilizers was improved, subsidies were granted to farmers and modern agricultural technology was promoted. In the field of tourism, the province is progressing by leaps and bounds, creating new employment opportunities for the local population. Measures for environmental improvement have also been comparatively better than in other provinces. In terms of law and order, police were provided with additional resources and modern equipment to ensure the protection of people’s lives, property and honour. The recent devastating floods shattered the national economy, but in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the timely efforts of the Chief Minister significantly reduced its impact.
All these steps prove that Ali Amin Gandapur does not believe in idle posturing or cheap showmanship. He has not made the provincial government a vehicle for personal publicity or temporary politics but has given public service the highest priority. On one hand, he faces political pressures and party differences, and on the other, he continues to keep developmental and reform initiatives on track. This is precisely the point that distinguishes his style of governance from others.
As far as party differences are concerned, several factors are at play. The first is the distribution of positions and resources. The allocation of cabinet portfolios, government funds and party tickets has always been a tug-of-war source within the party. The second cause is the struggle for political influence, that who is the stronger leader within the province. The third is the balance between central and provincial leadership, where some leaders have long complained that decisions are made within a limited circle, leaving them feeling ignored. In this context, the recent change in party presidency is notable: when Imran Khan removed Ali Amin Gandapur from the provincial presidency and appointed Junaid Akbar in his place. The Chief Minister accepted this decision graciously, though such a change naturally stirred discontent and jealousy in some quarters. Questions also arose in the distribution of party tickets, with some leaders raising voices over a lack of transparency. According to reports, certain disgruntled leaders even threatened to form a “forward bloc” to exert pressure on government decisions. In such circumstances, the rise of differences is hardly unnatural. To place the blame solely on the Chief Minister would be unfair.
It is equally true that arrests, cases and continuous political pressure have made intra-party communication difficult. The media often amplifies these differences, making the internal discord appear larger than it actually is. The Chief Minister’s stance has consistently been that he himself is not part of any faction and that whatever decisions were made were accepted at the behest of party leadership. This stance is a sign that he believes in collective decision-making rather than personal whims.
Therefore, the real roots of PTI’s internal disputes lie in the struggle for power, the distribution of resources and the limited circle of decision-making, not in the actions of the Chief Minister. Today, if party leaders were to look within themselves, they would easily find the answer. At a time when opposition parties are in power at the center and in other provinces and are bent upon toppling even the remaining government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, internal bickering and factionalism is akin to political suicide. One must learn from history: in Baghdad, people and intellectuals remained entangled in minor sectarian quarrels and suddenly Genghis Khan invaded, reducing the city to rubble. If PTI does not establish unity in its ranks today, the outcome will be no different.
Thus, if PTI leaders and workers are torchbearers of change indeed, there is no benefit in wasting their energies in fighting amongst themselves. At this moment, the poet’s Urdu verse hold the clearest message in the end words, reminding that unity is the real strength: Teri Dastan Tak Na Hogi Dastano Mein (Your tale shall not even exist among the tales).
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