Peshawar, March 22 – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has reiterated the necessity of engaging in negotiations with the Taliban to achieve lasting peace in the region. Speaking at an Iftar gathering in Islamabad on Friday, Gandapur asserted that he could facilitate talks with the militant group if given the mandate, emphasizing that dialogue remains the only sustainable solution.
The chief minister revealed that he had already drafted a negotiation framework, incorporating tribal elders from various agencies, and submitted it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior. However, he noted that more than two months had passed without any official response.
Gandapur expressed confidence that the Taliban would be willing to engage in discussions with tribal elders while dismissing the influence of Maulana Fazlur Rehman over the group. He further claimed that he could initiate direct talks with Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada but clarified that no formal contact had been established yet.
Shifting focus to Pakistan’s internal political landscape, Gandapur stressed that no meaningful political dialogue could take place without the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan. He linked political stability to Khan’s release, arguing that the country experienced relative stability before his government’s removal and that terrorism and unrest had escalated since.
The chief minister also underscored the crucial role of public support in combating terrorism, insisting that no counterterrorism effort could succeed without the backing of the people. Highlighting Pakistan’s extensive shared border with Afghanistan, he reiterated the importance of diplomatic engagement with Kabul, criticizing opponents of his negotiation stance. He also pointed out that even the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government had attempted to initiate talks with the Taliban.
Addressing allegations of corruption in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gandapur dismissed the accusations, stating that if corruption were widespread, the province would not have a budget surplus. He cited financial figures to support his claim, stating that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa currently has a surplus of Rs 159 billion, whereas Punjab is operating under a Rs 148 billion deficit.
Gandapur concluded by emphasizing the need for a comprehensive national dialogue to restore stability and ensure progress across the country.
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