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PTI

PTI sources claim govt agreed to shift Imran Khan to hospital

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PTI sources claim

ISLAMABAD: Sources within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have claimed that the government had agreed in principle to transfer party founder Imran Khan to a private hospital for medical treatment.

According to party insiders, the opposition had demanded that Imran Khan be kept at Shifa International Hospital for at least 10 days. The government was reportedly willing to allow him to remain at the facility until the completion of his treatment.

Sources said the government had set conditions that medical details would not be made public and that party workers would not be called to the hospital.

It was further claimed that arrangements for the transfer had been finalized between Friday and Saturday night, with vehicles prepared for Imran Khan and party leadership.

According to PTI sources, authorities contacted Imran Khan’s sisters to nominate a family representative. They initially proposed Dr. Asim and Dr. Uzma, but the government reportedly did not accept those names.

Subsequently, Dr. Burki’s name was suggested, which was also rejected, leading to frustration among Khan’s sisters. Sources said the government then proposed Qasim Zaman’s name, which raised concerns among both the family and the party.

When consensus could not be reached, the government allegedly informed the party on Sunday night that the hospital transfer would no longer be possible.

Meeting with PIMS Doctors

Party sources also stated that PTI leadership met doctors at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and pledged that details of the consultation would not be disclosed publicly.

No official statement has yet been issued by the government regarding these claims.

Sohail Afridi secures 90 votes to become KP Chief Minister

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Sohail Afridi

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) nominee Sohail Afridi was elected the new Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, securing 90 votes in the provincial assembly on Sunday.

Speaker Babar Saleem Swati announced the result after the voting process concluded in the House. Prior to the ballot, he instructed that bells be rung for five minutes to ensure all absent members could return to the chamber.

The Speaker also directed lawmakers to register their attendance at the lobby gate before voting began. After a short pause, polling commenced, with Afridi winning by a comfortable margin to claim the position of leader of the House in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.1

Earlier, former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur said he resigned the same day Imran Khan instructed him to do so, emphasizing that the democratic process should not be turned into a mockery. “We will no longer tolerate what has been happening,” he warned.

Reflecting on his 19-month tenure, Gandapur stated that when his government took office, the provincial treasury had funds for only 18 days of salaries. “Today, there are Rs218 billion in the provincial exchequer,” he said, adding that while the opposition may criticize him for not allocating funds to them, “the people are satisfied because the money was spent on public welfare.”

He reaffirmed his loyalty to the party founder, saying, “Our leader is making sacrifices for us and for future generations — we stand firmly with the PTI.”

Addressing Opposition Leader KP Dr Ibadullah, said that the resignation of Ali Amin Gandapur has not yet been approved, as a Chief Minister cannot be elected as another Chief Minister.

Speaker KP Assembly Babar Saleem Swati said after addressing the opposition leader that Ali Amin Gundapur sent the resignation twice and announced his resignation in the House today. Some people want Sohail Afridi not to become the chief minister, but the constitution will not follow the wishes of the people.

Babar Saleem Swati, while reading the rolling in this regard, said that the procedure of the new leader will be in accordance with the constitution, after which the name of the elected chief minister will be announced.

Four candidates are in the running for the position. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has nominated Sohail Afridi, while the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has put forward Maulana Lutf-ur-Rehman as its candidate.

From the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Sardar Shah Jehan Yousaf is contesting, whereas the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has nominated Arbab Zarak Khan for the top provincial office.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly comprises 145 members, including 93 from the treasury benches and 52 from the opposition.

73 votes will be needed to be elected to the Leader of the House, and consultation is underway by the opposition parties to bring a joint candidate.

Newly elected KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi hails from District Khyber and entered the provincial assembly for the first time after winning the 2024 general elections.

Afridi has been associated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for many years and previously served as the President of the Insaf Students Federation (ISF) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

During Ali Amin Gandapur’s tenure, Afridi held the position of Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Communication and Works, and was later appointed as Minister for Higher Education following a reshuffle in the provincial cabinet.

He is also a member of PTI’s Central Executive Committee, reflecting his longstanding role within the party’s organizational structure.

KP awaits new chief minister as assembly votes today

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KP awaits

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly will elect its new Chief Minister today, with four contenders vying for the top provincial position.

The candidates include Sohail Afridi from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Maulana Lutf-ur-Rehman representing the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Sardar Shah Jehan Yousaf of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Arbab Zarak Khan from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Ahead of the crucial vote, PTI has reinforced party discipline, administering oaths to its members to ensure unity. PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar cautioned lawmakers against defection, warning that any betrayal of the party’s nominated candidate would not be tolerated and that efforts to sway members would be firmly resisted.

The provincial assembly comprises 145 members, with 93 on the treasury benches and 52 from the opposition — numbers that could prove decisive in determining the outcome.

Today’s polling takes place amid heightened political activity, reports of behind-the-scenes lobbying, and concerns about potential defections, prompting party leaders to urge their members to stay closely aligned with official directives.

Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi has formally written to Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, directing him to appear at the Governor’s House on October 15 for verification of two purported resignation letters received earlier this month.

According to the Governor’s letter, two separate sets of resignation documents dated October 8 and October 11, were received at the Governor’s House, both allegedly bearing different and inconsistent signatures.