PESHAWAR:
The controversy over the withdrawal of security from Awami National Party (ANP) central president Aimal Wali Khan has deepened, with conflicting claims from the provincial government and the party despite the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister’s reported directives to ensure his protection.
According to ANP, all security personnel assigned to Aimal Wali Khan were withdrawn despite Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s explicit instructions to maintain his security. The party accused the provincial police of defying the chief minister and acting on the orders of the federal interior ministry.
ANP spokesperson Ehsanullah, in a strongly worded statement, said the move amounted to “suspending the Constitution in practice,” alleging that the so-called “hybrid regime” was undermining provincial autonomy.
He added that by ignoring the chief minister’s directives, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police chief had effectively nullified previous orders issued for Aimal Wali’s protection, a move he described as a “serious violation of provincial authority.”
Aimal Wali Khan himself had earlier announced on social media that his security had been withdrawn, drawing sharp criticism from the party against both provincial and federal authorities.
Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, dismissed the ANP’s concerns, assuring that Aimal Wali’s safety would be fully ensured in accordance with the chief minister’s directives. “Despite political differences, we will not compromise on his security,” he said, even adding humorously, “If needed, I will personally stand guard for him.”
The provincial government’s spokesperson also clarified that no security withdrawal had taken place. “All reports suggesting otherwise are baseless and misleading,” he said, adding that the regional police officer remained in contact with Aimal Wali Khan to finalize the list of trusted personnel to be deployed for his protection.
