Growing Political Uncertainty in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
PESHAWAR — The political landscape of Pakistan’s northwestern province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), has been thrown into fresh turmoil as confusion persists over Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation. More than 48 hours after Gandapur announced he had stepped down, the governor’s office has yet to formally accept or confirm the resignation.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that opposition members are finalizing a no-confidence motion against the chief minister, raising the stakes in an already volatile political environment. The deadlock has deepened uncertainty over the province’s leadership and the future direction of its assembly.
Gandapur Says He Has “Already Resigned”
Chief Minister Gandapur insists that he has already submitted his resignation to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, calling for an end to what he described as political “drama.” “I have sent my resignation to the governor. There should be no further theatrics,” he reportedly told media on Friday.
However, Governor Kundi has contradicted the claim, saying that the document has not reached his principal secretary’s office. “Once the written resignation is received, it will be reviewed and processed according to the law,” the governor said.
Legal Dispute Over the Format of the Resignation
Legal experts believe that the delay might stem from procedural questions surrounding the resignation letter. According to constitutional practice, a resignation must be handwritten and signed by the officeholder to be considered valid.
Sources close to the chief minister’s office say Gandapur has now prepared a handwritten version of his resignation, which is expected to be resubmitted to the governor soon. The procedural wrangling has, however, added to the confusion, with political observers describing the situation as a “crisis of credibility” within the provincial administration.
Assembly Session Expected Amid Rising Tensions
Reports from Peshawar suggest that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly may convene an emergency session as early as Saturday afternoon, possibly around 3 p.m. Although the assembly is technically in recess, all administrative staff have been instructed to remain on duty, signaling an extraordinary political development.
The convening of the assembly is likely to set the stage for an intense showdown between Gandapur’s supporters and opponents. The no-confidence motion, prepared by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members, could be tabled if the governor does not accept the resignation in time.
The Numbers Game: Who Holds the Majority?
The KP Assembly currently has 145 members. Out of these, 93 members are independents but are widely seen as PTI-backed legislators, while 52 members sit on the opposition benches.
To remove the chief minister, a no-confidence motion requires at least 73 votes. Analysts say that if even a portion of the PTI-aligned independents shift their support away from Gandapur, his hold on power could collapse.
“The arithmetic is simple,” said a senior political analyst in Peshawar. “If a fraction of the independent bloc defects, Gandapur’s position becomes untenable. The real question is whether PTI can maintain unity among its supporters.”
Broader Implications for Pakistan’s Political Stability
The unfolding crisis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is being closely watched across Pakistan. The province has traditionally been a stronghold of the PTI, and any fracture within its ranks could have implications for national politics, especially amid ongoing tensions between PTI leadership and the federal government.
Observers note that the standoff reflects the broader instability in Pakistan’s political system, where disputes over procedure and legality often delay governance and fuel speculation. With the economy under pressure and public frustration rising, regional instability in KP could further weaken confidence in provincial and national institutions.
What Happens Next?
If Gandapur’s handwritten resignation is accepted by the governor, the assembly will move toward electing a new chief minister within a legally mandated period. However, if the resignation is rejected or delayed, the no-confidence vote will likely proceed, potentially unseating Gandapur through parliamentary means.
For now, the province remains on edge, with political actors maneuvering for advantage and uncertainty looming large over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s leadership. The coming days are expected to determine not only Gandapur’s political future but also the stability of one of Pakistan’s most strategically significant provinces.
