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Draft:Chief ministership of Ali Amin Gandapur

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Chief ministership of Ali Amin Gandapur
7 March 2024 – present
Governor
CabinetGandapur ministry
PartyPakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
Election2024
SeatChief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Government formation

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Election

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Ali Amin Gandapur was voted in as Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by a majority of 90 votes with the runner-up, Ibadullah Khan, receiving 16.[1]

Inaugaration

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Following his oath-taking, he pledged to tackle crime, especially drug trafficking, initiate political reforms, and tackle corruption.[2] Zalmay Azad writing in The Friday Times claimed in June 2024 that Gandapur's tenure as Chief Minister has been marked "unfulfilled promises" and a "significant gap between his rhetoric and reality."[3]

As Chief Minister, Gandapur has expressed his commitment to resuming the province's development initiatives. He has prioritized the restoration and expansion of the Sehat Insaf Card for public welfare and highlighted the importance of law and order, identifying the establishment of lasting peace as a top priority. Gandapur has also indicated his intention to attract foreign investment to the province and has pledged to work with the federal government to safeguard the province's rights.[4]

Healthcare

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Within the first 10 days in office, on 12 March 2024, Ali Amin Gandapur and his government restored medical facilities under the Sehat Insaf Card after it had been suspended for almost a year by the previous caretaker government due to a lack of funds.[5] In September 2024, free healthcare coverage was also restored on the card after it has been discontinued due to an insurance company.[6]

The Health Department, under Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Provincial Minister Syed Qasim Ali Shah announced a program aiming to expand free healthcare coverage under the Sehat Insaf Card and Ehsaas Programmes to 1 million people.[7] Additionally, a ‘stringent’ crackdown on drugs was ordered by Gandapur, as part of an anti-drug plan, which saw the rehabilitation of 2,000 drug addicts in Peshawar and seizures of illegal drugs.[8]

Infrastructure and Industry

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Auqaf Properties

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In a meeting with the KP Auqaf Department, Gandapur directed the initiation of GIS mapping and the creation of an Assets Management Unit for auqaf properties, together with a Quran Mahal in Peshawar to preserve old Qu'ran copies. In another meeting the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Governments (Property Lease) Rules, 2024 was announced, extending the lease period of new "large-scale investments" of up to 90-years.[9]

Urban Revitilization

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Gandapur also stated that his government would put a special emphasis on governing the newly merged tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Gandapur and a senior minister in his cabinet, Arshad Ayub Khan met with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in March 2024 and initiated an 'urban revitalization' program which aims to expand and refurbish Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's major cities. Gandapur also stated that his government would prioritize social services and the environment. As part of Gandapur's projects, he also began the Billion Tree Plus project which aims to curb rising deforestation in the province.[10]

Flagship development projects outline

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On 17 October 2024, Gandapur and his Finance advisor, Muzzammil Aslam, approved several key development projects for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). These flagship projects include life insurance coverage for the entire provincial population, the establishment of the province’s own Islamic Takaful insurance company, a solarisation program, and a home-stay tourism scheme. Other approved projects include the construction of the Peshawar-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway, a 120-kilometre-long transmission line, the creation of a trade corridor hub, and a debt management fund. The provincial government aims to complete these initiatives by the end of 2027. The life insurance scheme is the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s second major social security initiative after the Sehat Insaf Card, offering compensation of Rs500,000 to Rs1,000,000 to the heirs of deceased family heads. Additionally, the government plans to construct a 365-kilometre-long motorway to improve trade links between KPK, Punjab, and Balochistan and will build a transmission line to supply affordable electricity to local industries. The solarisation scheme plans to provide solar units to 130,000 low-income households and government buildings, while the home-stay tourism program will offer loans to residents in remote areas to promote tourism. The government also plans to establish a trade corridor hub at Torkham and a debt management fund to strengthen financial stability.[11]

KP Solar Scheme

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Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has announced the KP Solar Scheme, a project to deliver free solar panels to 130,000 citizens in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The project was inaugurated on 15 August 2024.[12] The initiative was launched due to rising costs for electricity bills and rising electricity demands countrywide, while Gandapur has emphasized solar energy as the solution.[13] A package including solar panels, wiring and panel stands has been announced to be delivered to impoverished families living in hotter areas of the province, applicable through online registration. He announced 30,000 solar panels would be delivered to poor families in tribal districts.[12]

Anti-unemployment measures

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To address unemployment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gandapur initiated 3 new welfare programs under the wing of the Ehsaas Programme. These programs include: the Ehsaas Rozgar Programme, Ehsaas Nojawan Rozgar Programme and Ehsaas Hunar Programmes. The Ehsaas Rozgar Programme and Nojawan Rozgar Programmes aim to give soft loans of Rs10 million or interest-free loans of Rs200,000 for young business owners or youth attempting to start a business. Meanwhile, the Ehsaas Hunar Programme aims to give interest-free loans of Rs500,000 for new businesses owners to curb unemployment. Additionally, Gandapur launched the Ehsaas Apna Ghar Programme initiative which allows for civilian loans of up to Rs1.5 million for the construction or expansion of residential homes.[14]

Allegation of Corruption

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Shakeel Khan, who served as the Communication and Works Minister in the Gandapur ministry, has accused the department's secretary of disbursing Rs6.87 billion to contractors without his approval. He stated that these funds were released between May and June 2024 under the direction of Gandapur. Khan also alleged that the secretary confessed to taking a 10-20% commission on the disbursed amount, which included payments of Rs200 million to Gandapur and Rs100 million to other influential figures, all on Gandapur's instructions. Furthermore, Khan claimed that the secretary offered him a bribe of Rs30 million, later increased to Rs50 million along with a new car, in exchange for his silence, but he refused and claimed that he decided to expose the corruption.[15] In response to the allegations, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) formed a three-member committee to watch over Gandapur’s government.[16]

Political Issues

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De-notification of PTI members

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Following the allegations of Shakeel Khan, Gandapur was seen "sending a strong message to those criticizing his governance" by relieving Mohammad Atif Khan, Sher Ali Arbab and Junaid Akbar from their parties positions. According to The News International "Atif Khan and another PTI MNA Junaid Akbar Khan had taken a stand for the former provincial minister for communication and works Shakeel Ahmad Khan when Chief Minister Gandapur removed him from the provincial cabinet allegedly on corruption charges."[17] According to another press media, The Express Tribune, "sources reported that Atif Khan's removal followed his public support for the dismissed Minister Shakeel Khan, while Sher Ali Arbab's refusal to sign a declaration of confidence in the Chief Minister led to his ouster."[18] In Business Recorder, "sources said that MNAs Atif Khan, Junaid Akbar Khan, and ex-provincial minister Shakeel Khan held detailed meetings with Arif Alvi. They complained about the chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur, saying he is completely ignoring the leaders and workers who raise voice against the injustices within the party."[19]



References

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  1. ^ Hayat, Arif (2024-03-01). "PTI's Ali Amin Gandapur elected KP chief minister, demands justice for Imran and party". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
  2. ^ "Mr. Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has taken oath as the 22nd Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa". Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Ali Amin Gandapur: A Tale Of Unfulfilled Promises And Actions". The Friday Times. 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2024-09-01. Ali Amin Gandapur's tenure as Chief Minister is characterized by a series of unfulfilled promises and actions that often contradict his public statements. His inability to combat militancy effectively, uphold civilian supremacy, implement administrative changes, support PTI workers, and address power distribution issues underscores a significant gap between his rhetoric and reality.
  4. ^ "Khan's diehard loyalist elected K-P CM with two-thirds majority". March 2024. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Sehat Card facilities 'resume' after months-long suspension". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  6. ^ "Free treatment restored on Sehat Card". The Express Tribune. 2024-09-08. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  7. ^ Mateen, Abdul (2024-07-29). "KPK Government Launches Free Healthcare Program for One Million Citizens". Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  8. ^ "KP CM directs stringent crackdown against drug addicts". Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  9. ^ Tribune (2024-07-13). "K-P government to establish Quran Mahal". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  10. ^ "Renovation plan for major K-P cities". The Express Tribune. 2024-03-16. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  11. ^ "Life insurance program for entire province among seven flagship projects approved by KP government". The Express Tribune. 2024-10-17. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  12. ^ a b Khan, Jehanzeb (2024-08-15). "KP CM inaugurates solar scheme design, online application". Mashriq Vibe. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  13. ^ "BIG NEWS: 2kW Solar System for Everyone in KPK 2024". solarpanelrates.pk. 2024-07-23. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  14. ^ "CM wants implementation of youth livelihood schemes". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  15. ^ Itfan Moosazai (17 August 2024). "Ex-KP minister Shakeel Khan exposes billion-rupee corruption". Samaa TV. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  16. ^ "Corruption allegations: PTI forms panel to keep an eye on KP govt". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
  17. ^ "Rift in PTI deepens as Gandapur removes key leaders from party positions". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  18. ^ Tribune (2024-08-27). "PTI's internal power struggle escalates in K-P as CM Gandapur removes top arty leaders". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  19. ^ Ahmad, Zulfiqar (2024-08-29). "Alvi starts meeting PTI disgruntled leaders". Brecorder. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
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