ISLAMABAD, NOV 22 (DNA): In the recent Apex Committee meeting, Army Chief General Asim Munir had appreciated Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur for his cooperation as provincial chief executive on the issues of national importance.

This was revealed by a participant of the committee meeting, which was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday.

When approached, a source close to Gandapur also confirmed this and said that the army chief had appreciated the KP chief minister for his and his government’s cooperation on issues of national importance, including those relating to security and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The source also confirmed that Gandapur had not only raised the issue of Imran Khan and PTI in the Apex Committee but also demanded that Imran should be released from jail.

Gandapur, according to the source, also told the committee that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, despite his conviction and while he was in jail, was allowed by the Imran government to go to London for treatment.

It is said that Gandapur had also claimed in the Apex Committee about the relief given to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who was also a convict then, by the Imran government but she later resorted to anti-government protests. He also reminded the Apex Committee how Nawaz and Maryam used to target the then military establishment.

The source said that Gandapur had told the Apex Committee that Imran Khan is his leader and the leader of millions. “We want the release of our leader from jail,” the source quoted Gandapur as saying and added that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman has been in jail for over a year without any crime.

Gandapur is said to have also highlighted the issue of persecution of PTI leaders and workers. The PTI, Gandapur told the Apex Committee, is not even allowed to hold political meetings, rallies and marches in Punjab.