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Sohail Afridi

Over 20 PTI MPAs express discontent with KP chief minister

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Over 20 PTI

PESHAWAR: More than 20 lawmakers from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with Chief Minister Sohail Afridi over governance and administrative issues, according to sources.

Sources said the disgruntled members have raised concerns about deteriorating law and order in the province, alleging that the chief minister has been unable to assert authority over the bureaucracy. They claimed that several officials are reportedly more responsive to the federal government than the provincial leadership.

The lawmakers also complained that their repeated concerns had not been addressed, including issues related to uneven distribution of development funds and dissatisfaction over the expansion of the provincial cabinet.

According to sources, the dissatisfied members may soon convene a meeting to discuss their concerns and formulate a joint strategy.

However, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafi Jan rejected reports of internal divisions, calling them false, fabricated, and baseless.

He said all PTI members of the provincial assembly are united under the leadership of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and remain committed to party discipline. Shafi Jan added that those hoping for divisions within the party would be disappointed, stressing that the chief minister enjoys full confidence from the party’s founding leadership.

Top military, political leadership agree to joint action against terrorism

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Top military

PESHAWAR: A high-level meeting on law and order was held at the Corps Headquarters in Peshawar, attended by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, and the Corps Commander Peshawar.

According to sources, military and political leadership agreed to adopt a unified approach in the fight against terrorism.

The discussions between Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and other stakeholders were reported to be cordial.

The meeting also decided to implement the provincial government’s administrative framework in Malakand Division as a model for effective governance and security management.

Sources revealed that Chief Minister Afridi and his cabinet spent three hours at the Corps Headquarters, including a lunch session attended by the federal minister and other participants.

During the lunch, the Chief Minister and Mohsin Naqvi held close discussions and exchanged greetings with other officials.

The security meeting focused on strategies for ensuring permanent peace in the province, with an emphasis on adopting collective measures to improve the situation in tribal districts.

Sohail Afridi unveils KP’s new 13-member provincial cabinet

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Sohail Afridi

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has constituted a 13-member cabinet under Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, featuring 10 ministers, two advisers, and one special assistant.

According to reports, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has signed the summary sent by the chief minister, approving the new cabinet lineup.

In line with directions from the party founder, CM Afridi announced the names of cabinet members, which include Meena Khan Afridi, Fazal Shakoor, Faisal Tarakai, Aqibullah, Dr Amjad, Khaleeq ur Rehman, Riaz Khan, and Fakhar Jehan.

Taj Muhammad Rind and Muzzammil Aslam have been appointed as advisers, while Shafi Jan will serve as special assistant to the chief minister.

A decision regarding Barrister Saif’s inclusion in the cabinet has not yet been finalized. The newly appointed cabinet members are scheduled to take oath later this afternoon.

JUI-F challenges election of new KP Chief Minister in PHC

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JUI-F

PESHAWAR: The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) has approached the Peshawar High Court (PHC), challenging the election of newly appointed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.

According to details, the petition was submitted by JUI-F’s parliamentary leader in the provincial assembly, Lutfur Rehman, through Barrister Yaseen Raza.

The plea argues that the resignation of outgoing Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has not yet been formally accepted, rendering the election of a new chief minister unconstitutional.

 It adds that the Governor has summoned Gandapur on October 15 to verify his resignation.

Referring to Article 130(8) of the Constitution, the petitioner maintained that a new chief minister can only be elected once the resignation of the incumbent has been officially accepted.

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.