KP Chief Minister, Ali Amin Gandapur call for All Party Conference (APC) to address the rising threat of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faced a major set back today. The key opposition parties refused to attend. They called it political stunt rather than a serious effort for a dialogue.

Initially APC was scheduled to be held at Chief Minister House in Peshawar. The aim of the address was to bring together all political forces on one consensus for rising security challenges in the province.

However, major opposition parties including the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), Awami National Party (ANP), and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have boycotted the meeting.

Opposition leader described APC as a “exhibition” and has accused government of taking “frivolous decisions”. He stated that genuine solution to the problems of the province can be discussed and resolve on the parliamentary floor.

ANP’s provincial president Mian Iftikhar Hussain called the conference ““pointless exercise” with no meaningful outcome.

In response to criticism, CM Gandapur stated that the opposition’s refusal showed their indifference to province’s growing challenges.

He further stated, “Peace can only be achieved through collective effort”, he emphasised that government is making sincere efforts to bring political parties in confidence.

CM also addressed the recent controversies related to senate elections. He rejected the allegations of horse trading, he also clarified that the list of Senate candidates was finalized by the party founder.

He added that he has decided to remove Irfan Saleem’s name from the list. Gandapur accused certain individuals of distorting the founder’s narrative, and warned that those creating rifts within the party would be removed.

Gandapur also condemned drone attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, regardless of their origin, declaring that his government will take all necessary measures to maintain law and order in the province.