Imran Khan picks Ali Amin Gandapur for KP CM slot, rules out alliance with PML-N, PPP, MQM-P

By
Rizwan Yousufzai
PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur addresses a press conference. — APP/File
PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur addresses a press conference. — APP/File

  • Imran Khan directs PTI leaders to hold talks with other parties.
  • Says Feb 8 elections will bring economic stability to country.
  • Adds PTI will challenge election results, move Supreme Court. 


RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Tuesday nominated former federal minister Ali Amin Gandapur as his party's candidate for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's chief minister. 

"KP's chief minister will be Ali Amin Gandapur," said the former prime minister while speaking to journalists in Adiala jail, where he is currently incarcerated in a number of cases. 

Khan, whose party secured 84 seats in the KP Assembly, is in a pole position to form the government. In the National Assembly, PTI-backed candidates emerged as the largest group with over 90 seats followed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which won 75 seats. 

The PTI founder also brushed off the possibility of forming a coalition government with PML-N, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).

However, Khan said that he had directed his party leaders to hold talks with other parties except these three. "Those who have been brought [to rule] are the biggest money launderers," he alleged. 

The former premier said that the general elections, which were held on February 8, will bring economic stability to the country. 

According to sources, Khan gave instructions to the PTI regarding the KP's CM and the former ruling party will issue a notification in this regard soon.

Meanwhile, Khan said that he knew his party had won the elections when PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif postponed his press conference. "Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz have lost both elections," he said. 

He further claimed that PTI leader Aliya Hamza had received more than 100,000 votes while being in jail.

When asked if his party was forming a government in the province or centre, Khan said that his party would first challenge the election results. 

"We will also approach the Supreme Court against the poll results," he added. 

The former premier said that they have not agreed on a name for the prime minister's post and will consider it.  

On the other hand, the PTI founder said that the court will hear the petition seeking his wife Bushra Bibi's transfer to Adiala jail. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison in the Toshakhana case and seven in the illegal marriage case.