Change in Government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 35 Independent Members Become Decisive
The 35 independent members in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly have emerged as the deciding factor in the political landscape. If these members continue to support PTI, Ali Amin Gandapur’s government will retain the backing of 93 members in the 145-member house. However, if they withdraw their support, the number of pro-government members will drop to just 58, causing the government to lose its majority.
Currently, Ali Amin Gandapur’s government enjoys the support of 93 lawmakers — 58 from PTI and 35 independent members originally associated with PTI.
The independent members include:
Asif Khan (South Waziristan Upper), Muhammad Usman (Tank), Ali Hadi Karam, Aurangzeb Khan (Orakzai), Shah Abu Turab (Hangu), Shafiullah Jan (Kohat), Dawood Dushah (Kohat), Aftab Alam (Kohat), Khaliq-ur-Rehman (Nowshera), Meena Khan (Peshawar), Sher Ali Afridi (Peshawar), Muhammad Sohail Afridi (Khyber), Muhammad Adnan Qadri (Khyber), Muhammad Israr (Mohmand), Rangez Khan (Swabi), Malik Adeel Iqbal (Haripur), Mushtaq Ghani (Abbottabad), Iftikhar Jadoon (Abbottabad), Rajab Ali Abbasi (Abbottabad), Laiq Muhammad Khan (Torghar), Zahid Chanzeb (Mansehra), Munir Hussain (Mansehra), Taj Muhammad Butt (Battagram), Zubair Khan (Battagram), Muhammad Riaz (Kohistan Palas Kolai), Fazal Haq (Upper Kohistan), Abdul Munim (Shangla), Abdul Kabir Khan (Buner), Masoor Khan (Malakand), Ajmal Khan (Bajaur), Liaqat Ali Khan (Lower Dir), Shafiullah (Lower Dir), Amjad Ali (Swat), Fazal Hakim (Swat), and Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Assembly Suraiya Bibi (Upper Chitral).
On the other hand, the opposition currently holds 27 seats, with five political parties represented:
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PML-N and JUI-F with 9 members each
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PPP with 5 members
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ANP and PTI-Parliamentarians with 2 members each
There are 25 vacant seats in the Assembly — 21 reserved for women and 4 for minorities. If these seats are filled by opposition nominees, their total strength will rise to 52. However, with 73 members required for a simple majority, the role of independent members becomes decisive.
If these independents continue their support for Ali Amin Gandapur, the government will survive. But if they join the opposition, the opposition’s strength will rise to 87 — enough to form a government with ease.
It is also important to note that Article 63(A) — which bars floor crossing — does not apply to these members, as they are not officially part of any political party.
