Peshawar: In a startling turn of events, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has stirred controversy by encouraging citizens to take matters into their own hands when faced with bribery demands from government officials.
Gandapur advised the public to resort to violence, suggesting they throw bricks at officials who solicit bribes and then attribute the act to him.
Speaking at a public gathering in DI Khan’s village Syed Alian on Wednesday, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader made a brazen announcement against corruption, stating, “People! Hit a brick on the head of the officer asking for bribe and take my name… crack open the head of the officer or official of any department who asks for bribe. Do not be hellish yourself and do not make me one.”
Gandapur went on to emphasise that both the giver and taker of bribes are condemned according to Islamic teachings. He urged the public to take immediate action against bribe-seeking officials, advocating for on-the-spot punishment to uphold ‘honour’.
However, this endorsement of vigilante justice has drawn widespread criticism and raised concerns about its potential repercussions. By urging citizens to bypass legal channels and resort to violence, Gandapur’s statement could fuel a culture of lawlessness and vigilante retribution, opening the door to abuse and misuse of power.
This isn’t the first time Gandapur has found himself embroiled in controversy. Previously, the PTI leader faced backlash for making sexist remarks against political opponents. In 2021, while targeting PML-N leader and now Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Gandapur made derogatory comments about her appearance and implied threats of violence.
Similarly, in 2020, Gandapur’s inflammatory rhetoric against Maryam and other political rivals sparked outrage on social media, with many condemning his casual sexism and aggressive language.
Critics argue that Gandapur’s latest remarks not only condone violence but also undermine the rule of law and institutional integrity. Instead of promoting accountability and transparency through legal means, such statements risk inciting chaos and further eroding public trust in government institutions. –Agencies
