What was initially reported as a Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) raid on the house of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Housing Minister Dr Amjad Ali Khan in Swat is now at the centre of allegations that the entire episode was staged to stay away from the PTI’s long march.
According to police officials, no actual CTD operation took place at Dr Amjad’s residence.
Instead, it is alleged that the minister arranged the appearance of people presented as CTD personnel and created a scene involving firing and a reported escape.
The allegations further suggest that Dr Amjad went into hiding after the episode, allowing him to avoid taking part in the long march being led by KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
The political claim is that pressure had been mounting on members of the PTI’s provincial leadership to participate in the march, while Dr Amjad was reluctant to join it.
His reported disappearance therefore raised questions about whether the incident was intended to provide a reason for his absence.
The episode was initially described as a CTD operation in which gunfire was reported and Dr Amjad allegedly escaped. A search was subsequently said to be underway.
However, the claim that the raid was deliberately staged by Dr Amjad, including the allegation that fake CTD personnel were involved, has not been independently verified.
Police and provincial authorities have yet to publicly establish the circumstances of the reported operation.
The development comes as the PTI’s long march, led by Sohail Afridi, continues through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The march is aimed at mobilising supporters and moving towards Islamabad.
Here is a neutral English translation, preserving the allegations as claims:
During the ongoing political activities of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), various claims have emerged concerning Amjad Ali, a minsiter from Swat.
Political opponents have alleged that Amjad Ali staged his own abduction and subsequently disappeared from the scene.
However, the allegation has not been independently verified, and Amjad Ali has yet to respond to the claim.
In statements shared on social media, opponents have attempted to link Amjad Ali’s absence to the situation surrounding the political march.
They claim that the PTI leadership is currently facing various difficulties amid its protest activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to the opposition, the activities of PTI leaders and workers have remained limited to different areas.
The statements also claimed that some leaders travelled towards areas other than their previously announced routes.
Political opponents also claimed that Ali Amin Gandapur turned back from the Kalachi area of Dera Ismail Khan.
They attributed his return to the situation surrounding the curfew.
Similarly, political opponents have made various claims regarding the convoy led by Sohail Afridi.
They said the convoy travelled towards the Khyber route instead of heading from Peshawar towards Swabi.
Regarding Swat minister Amjad Ali, opponents further alleged that he was not present in his hometown of Barikot.
