Maps
Magazine

POLITICS & POLICY MAKING

Sohail Afridi Elected KP CM Amid Opposition Walkout, Gandapur Row
PTI’s Sohail Afridi elected new KP Chief Minister with 90 votes amid opposition walkout and uncertainty over Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation. Afridi vows loyalty to Imran Khan, says he’ll vacate seat if asked.
MH
by Muhammad Hashir
2025-10-13
Sohail Afridi Elected KP CM Amid Opposition Walkout, Gandapur Row

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Sohail Afridi was elected the new Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Monday after securing 90 votes in an assembly session marred by a complete opposition walkout and controversy surrounding the resignation of outgoing CM Ali Amin Gandapur.

The election was conducted by KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, who proceeded despite the boycott from the opposition benches. Candidates from JUI-F, PML-N, and PPP — Maulana Lutfur Rehman, Sardar Shah Jehan Yousaf, and Arbab Zarak Khan respectively — received zero votes as opposition members exited the assembly hall in protest.

Out of the 145-member KP Assembly, Afridi required 73 votes to secure victory. With 53 opposition members absent and three legislators abroad, Afridi’s win was declared uncontested amid chants of support from PTI lawmakers.

⚖️ Opposition Cries ‘Unconstitutional’ Election

Leader of the Opposition Dr Ibadullah termed the election “unconstitutional,” arguing that Gandapur’s resignation had not been formally accepted by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. “There are two chief ministers in KP,” he asserted, adding that the opposition would challenge the process in court.

The opposition claimed that until Gandapur’s resignation was accepted and his cabinet denotified, holding a new election violated constitutional procedures.

🗳️ Afridi’s Victory Speech: “No Greed for Seat, Only Loyalty to Imran”

In his victory speech, Afridi expressed deep gratitude to Imran Khan, praising him for elevating a “worker from a middle-class family with no political dynasty.”

He declared, “Neither Bhutto, Zardari, nor Sharif is attached to my name. I come from the tribal districts, and I’m proud of it.” He added that tribal areas had long been neglected and that his appointment symbolized empowerment for marginalized regions.

Afridi also praised Ali Amin Gandapur, lauding his “graceful resignation” and commitment to the party’s struggle. “The day my leader tells me to vacate the seat, I’ll kick it aside,” Afridi said, emphasizing that he had “no greed for power.”

Touching upon national issues, Afridi said military operations were not the solution to terrorism, urging the federal government to engage the people of KP and tribal districts in policy decisions. “Despite 14,000 intelligence-based operations, terrorism hasn’t declined. Our people are still displaced and suffering,” he remarked.

Afridi also expressed concern over the treatment of Afghan refugees and vowed to raise the issue of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) at the federal level, advocating dialogue over confrontation.

🏛️ PTI Leaders Congratulate Afridi

PTI leaders hailed Afridi’s election as a sign of the party’s grassroots empowerment.
Party Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan congratulated Afridi, expressing hope for a smooth transition.
Senior PTI figures including Omar Ayub, Asad Qaiser, and Junaid Akbar praised Afridi’s rise, calling it a reflection of Imran Khan’s vision to promote hardworking and ideological leaders.

Asad Qaiser termed it an “important milestone in Pakistan’s political history,” saying Afridi’s victory reflected the emergence of “a people-oriented leadership from the middle class.”

🧩 Gandapur’s Resignation Under Scrutiny

The election came amid controversy over Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation, which Governor Faisal Karim Kundi returned citing “disparate signatures” on two separate letters submitted on October 8 and 11.

The governor has summoned Gandapur on October 15 to verify the authenticity of the resignations. Gandapur, however, insists both letters carry his authentic signatures, stating that his resignation followed Imran Khan’s directive to pave the way for Afridi’s election.

In his farewell address, Gandapur congratulated Afridi in advance and defended his government’s record, stating, “We turned a financially struggling province into one with Rs280 million in the treasury.”

He emphasized that PTI’s struggle for “justice and Haqeeqi Azadi” would continue under Imran Khan’s leadership.
Tagged:

PTI

ImranKhan

AliAminGandapur

KPKPolitics

SohailAfridi
Share News: