PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday raised the possibility of a no-confidence motion being tabled against Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
The warning follows the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to reinstate reserved seats for opposition parties, a move that has reshaped the political landscape in the KP Assembly.
The reinstatement of 21 reserved seats for women and four for minorities in the KP Assembly has strengthened the opposition’s position, including the JUI-F, PML-N, PPP, and ANP, and has left the ruling PTI-backed members facing a significant challenge.
Governor Kundi, a senior leader of the PPP, which is allied with PML-N, claimed that a no-confidence motion would be considered as soon as the opposition has the necessary numbers. He reiterated, “The day we have one more member in the Assembly, it will be our democratic right to move a no-confidence motion.”
The political dynamics in KP have shifted following the ECP’s decision to grant reserved seats to opposition parties, which include eight seats for JUI-F, six for PML-N, and five for PPP, along with one each for ANP and PTI. This move has effectively enhanced the opposition’s strength, pushing the PTI-led government further into a precarious position.
However, the PTI leadership, including Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, has dismissed the possibility of the provincial government being removed through any constitutional means. Gandapur, who has a long-standing rivalry with Kundi, stated, “Anyone thinking of toppling our government should first secure the numbers. We will defend this government at all costs.”
Gandapur challenged his opponents, adding, “If anyone succeeds in removing us through constitutional means, I will quit politics.” He emphasized that the PTI’s control over the provincial government remains intact and that any decision regarding the government’s fate lies solely with the PTI founder.
JUI-F, despite its strengthened position, has distanced itself from any attempts to oust the provincial government. Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of the JUI-F, has also refrained from aligning with any plans to remove the PTI government, though he acknowledged his party’s ongoing political meetings with other opposition leaders.
Meanwhile, the ruling PML-N has categorically denied any plans to destabilize the PTI-led provincial government. Senator Irfan Siddiqui from PML-N dismissed the idea of a conspiracy to bring down the government, calling it “baseless speculation.”
Furthermore, PM’s aide on public and political affairs, Sanaullah, rejected claims that the Prime Minister discussed ousting Gandapur’s government with JUI-F’s Fazl. He denied any political maneuvering to destabilize the KP government, addressing speculations arising from a meeting between PM Shehbaz Sharif and Fazl.
While political tensions continue to rise, opposition leaders like Aimal Wali Khan, President of the Awami National Party (ANP), have strongly criticized the reinstatement of reserved seats, terming it a violation of the public mandate. Khan pointed out the damage caused by such decisions to Pakistan’s democratic system and emphasized the importance of a transparent political process.
As the political drama unfolds, the next steps in KP’s governance will likely depend on the assembly’s evolving numbers and the ongoing back-and-forth between the PTI and opposition parties.
