PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) nominee Sohail Afridi has been elected as the new Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, securing a decisive 90 votes in the provincial assembly. The election took place during a high-stakes session chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, following the resignation of former CM Ali Amin Gandapur.
The session, held in Peshawar, was marked by political drama as opposition members staged a walkout shortly after proceedings began. Despite the boycott, Afridi clinched the majority needed to assume office, surpassing the required threshold of 73 votes in the 145-member house.
Four candidates were in the running: Sohail Afridi (PTI), Maulana Lutfur Rehman (JUI-F), Arbab Zark (PPP), and Sardar Shah Jehan (PML-N). However, the opposition failed to unite behind a single contender, with their leader Dr. Ibad Ullah stepping out of the race.
Former CM Gandapur, whose resignation was earlier rejected by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, made a notable appearance at the assembly. Welcomed warmly by PTI lawmakers, Gandapur delivered a passionate speech defending his tenure and reaffirming loyalty to PTI’s founder. “We want the rule of law in the country,” he declared, adding that PTI stands with oppressed Muslims globally and will continue its struggle for the people of Pakistan.
Gandapur also highlighted the financial challenges his administration faced, noting that only fifteen days’ worth of salaries were available when he took office. He emphasized his commitment to equitable development, stating that funds were allocated across constituencies, including those held by opposition members.
In the lead-up to the vote, PTI engaged in behind-the-scenes negotiations to secure broader support, reaching out to PML-N and ANP leadership. Meetings were held with Federal Minister Amir Muqam and ANP representatives, though no formal endorsements were announced.
With 92 members aligned with PTI and its allied independents, the party maintained a clear majority. Afridi’s election signals continuity in PTI’s governance of the province, despite internal and external political challenges.
The newly elected Chief Minister was congratulated by fellow lawmakers, many embracing him on the assembly floor. Speaker Swati affirmed the legitimacy of the process, stating, “This is not about personal wishes—it’s about constitutional mandate.”
Afridi’s appointment marks a pivotal moment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s political landscape, as PTI seeks to consolidate its influence amid shifting alliances and national scrutiny.
