Inspector General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed, defying orders from Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, withdrew the security personnel assigned to Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Aimal Wali Khan, it emerged on Sunday.
A spokesperson for the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister clarified that the decision to withdraw security was made by the federal government and assured that the chief minister would ensure security is provided.
“Chief Minister Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur has given clear instructions that under no circumstances should Aimal Wali Khan’s security be withdrawn,” the spokesperson said.
The withdrawal of security comes a day after Aimal Wali Khan exchanged heated words with members of the federal government in Senate.
Minister of State for the Interior Talal Chaudhry condemned Senator Aimal Wali Khan’s remarks on Friday, suggesting the senator was following “someone else’s agenda”.
Speaking to reporters at Parliament House, the minister criticised Senator Khan for making “irresponsible statements for publicity” and accused him of toeing “someone else’s agenda”.
“Spitting at the sky is his habit. Such remarks are intolerable. I wanted to respond in the Senate, but the session could not continue,” Chaudhry said.
He alleged that the ANP chief was making negative comments without reason, “not knowing whom you want to please”. “Pakistan’s successful diplomacy over the past 80 years has no precedent. Yet, you dismiss it casually.”
ANP leader Engineer Ehsanullah Khan called the federal government a “hybrid regime” who had taken the K-P chief minister hostage, leaving him powerless before the inspector general, “The ANP will devise a new strategy today regarding the security of party president Aimal Wali Khan.”
However, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Adviser on Information, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif on Sunday assured Aimal Wali Khan, President of the Awami National Party (ANP), that his security will be fully ensured on the directives of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
Speaking to the media, Barrister Saif said that despite political differences, the provincial government is committed to ensuring Aimal Wali Khan’s complete safety.
“Aimal Wali should not worry. If needed, I will personally take charge of his security duty,” Barrister Saif stated.
He added that under the chief minister’s instructions, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police personnel are being deployed for his protection.
Barrister Saif further said that trusted security officials are being provided to Aimal Wali and the ANP leadership has been asked to share a list of preferred security personnel.
He reaffirmed that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has directed the authorities to ensure full security arrangements for the ANP leader.