VANISHED AT D-CHOWK: THE ENIGMA OF GANDAPUR’S VANISHING AND RETURN
By Syed Atiq ul Hassan
The sudden disappearance of Ali Amin Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), during the PTI’s historic long march has sparked intense speculation and confusion. The rally, which culminated at Islamabad’s iconic D-Chowk, saw thousands of PTI workers fiercely resist police and Rangers with bravery and resilience. However, Gandapur’s vanishing act, when rally reached at the destination, left many questions unanswered—until his reappearance at the KPK parliament nearly 30 hours later. His absence, shrouded in mystery, has ignited doubts about his role and loyalty, and many are wondering: was this a calculated political manoeuvre, or something more sinister?
The Vanishing Act: A Chief Minister Goes Missing: Ali Amin Gandapur played a central role in rallying thousands of PTI supporters from KPK for the much-anticipated long march
towards Islamabad. The rally was a significant moment for Imran Khan’s movement, aimed at toppling the current regime and asserting public dissent ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit scheduled for mid-October. However, as the rally reached D-Chowk—after clashes with law enforcement, tear gas, and rubber bullets—Gandapur suddenly disappeared from the scene.
This sudden absence raised eyebrows and led to widespread speculation. PTI workers, loyal to Imran Khan, continued their protest undeterred, but the news of Gandapur’s disappearance spread quickly. Rumours swirled that he had been abducted by the police or Rangers, an unprecedented move that raised alarms. The idea of a sitting Chief Minister being taken by law enforcement added an extra layer of drama to an already tense political atmosphere.
Gandapur’s Reappearance: A Cloud of Doubt: Nearly 30 hours later, Gandapur resurfaced at the KPK parliament. His reappearance, however, brought with it more questions than answers. In his speech, Gandapur attempted to explain his absence, but his vague and shaky statements left the public with lingering doubts. What truly happened during those missing hours? Was Gandapur playing a double game between PTI and the establishment?
While his efforts in organizing the massive rally of thousands of vehicles from KPK were undeniable, his disappearance at such a critical moment raised suspicions. Some speculated that he may have been engaged in backdoor negotiations with the military or government forces, striking a deal to avoid further escalation. After all, the establishment was already anxious about the upcoming SCO summit, which would bring high-level representatives from nine member countries to Islamabad. Any disruption caused by PTI’s protest could tarnish Pakistan’s image on the global stage.
A Deal Behind Closed Doors?: It’s plausible that Gandapur’s disappearance was the result of a covert negotiation between him and the military establishment. Both parties would have had an interest in keeping such discussions under wraps—PTI needed to maintain the momentum of its protest, while the establishment was keen on avoiding further unrest ahead of the SCO summit.
The timing of Gandapur’s disappearance, coming just as the PTI rally was gaining ground in Islamabad, suggests that a delicate balancing act may have been at play.
Imran Khan and PTI chose this critical juncture—just before the SCO summit—to ramp up pressure on the government and establishment, hoping to force them to meet their demands. At the forefront of these demands is the withdrawal of a controversial constitutional package being pushed by the current regime, which many view as a blatant attempt to suppress civil liberties and entrench military influence in the country’s governance. This package, reportedly backed by the establishment, includes amendments that would extend the retirement age of the Chief Justice and create a powerful new constitutional court—effectively side-lining the current Supreme Court.
The military’s objective appears to be the retention of its preferred figures in key judicial and military positions. The establishment is pushing to extend the tenure of both the Chief Justice and the current Army Chief through these constitutional amendments. Additionally, the creation of a new constitutional court with authority superior to the Supreme Court would cement the military’s hold over the judiciary. For PTI, this represents the erosion of democratic institutions and the imposition of a Martial Law-style civilian government under the guise of democracy.
The Rally’s Strategic Importance: For PTI, the rally served as a critical opportunity to push back against these authoritarian moves. With thousands of workers following Imran Khan’s call to action, the party demonstrated its ability to mobilize the masses even in the face of government suppression. Gandapur’s leadership was instrumental in organizing the KPK contingent of the rally, which played a crucial role in its success. His disappearance, however, cast a shadow over the event and raised doubts about the party’s internal unity.
Gandapur’s return to the public eye has done little to quell these doubts. His ambiguous statements suggest that there is more to the story than he is letting on. Was his disappearance a genuine case of abduction by law enforcement, or was it part of a broader political strategy aimed at brokering a deal with the establishment? The truth remains elusive, and the public is left to speculate.
What Comes Next? In the coming days, the political landscape in Pakistan is expected to shift rapidly as PTI and the establishment continue their behind-the-scenes manoeuvring. The next couple of days could prove decisive in determining the future of both the PTI protest movement and the controversial constitutional package being pushed by the government.
As Gandapur’s mysterious disappearance remains unsolved, the broader question of whether Pakistan’s political system can accommodate genuine democratic dissent hangs in the balance. The establishment’s apparent desire to impose its will through constitutional amendments and the suppression of political opposition poses a serious threat to the country’s democratic future.
For now, Ali Amin Gandapur’s vanishing act remains an enigma. Whether it was a calculated political move or a sign of deeper cracks within PTI’s ranks, the next developments between the party and the establishment will likely reveal the full extent of the political games being played behind closed doors. (The writer is a Sydney-based journalist a political analyst and editor, Tribune International, Australia. His email address is shassan@tribune-intl.com).
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