Afridi secures 90 votes amid opposition boycott
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly on Sunday elected Sohail Afridi as the new Chief Minister of the province, following the resignation of Ali Amin Gandapur. Earlier, the race for the province’s top slot had intensified as four candidates were cleared to contest, setting the stage for a heated political showdown.
During the session chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, Afridi secured 90 votes from government members of the assembly, comfortably crossing the required 73-vote majority.
However, the opposition benches boycotted the proceedings, alleging that the election process was unconstitutional since, according to them, Gandapur’s resignation had not yet been formally accepted by the governor.
Opposition challenges legality of the process
Leader of the Opposition Dr. Ibadullah raised objections before the voting, arguing that the governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had not yet issued an official notification accepting Gandapur’s resignation.
He stated, As long as a sitting chief minister remains in office, another cannot be elected. The constitution does not allow two chief ministers at the same time.
In response, Speaker Babar Saleem Swati overruled the objections. He clarified that Gandapur had submitted his resignation twice to the governor and had also announced it on the assembly floor, leaving no constitutional barrier to electing a new leader of the house.
The constitution operates on principles, not on personal wishes, Swati remarked, urging the assembly to proceed with the voting process.
Gandapur steps down citing party decision
Former Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, a senior member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), announced his resignation during the assembly session, stating that he had stepped down on the instructions of party chairman Imran Khan.
Gandapur defended his 19-month performance, claiming that he had turned around the province’s financial position.
When I took office, the provincial treasury could only cover salaries for 18 days. Today, we have 218 billion rupees, he told lawmakers before leaving the chamber.
Political observers see Gandapur’s resignation as part of PTI’s internal restructuring amid ongoing legal and political challenges facing the party at the national level.
Who is Sohail Afridi?
The newly elected chief minister, Sohail Afridi, hails from District Khyber, a region merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after the 2018 FATA reforms. Afridi was first elected as a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) in the 2024 elections.
He began his political career with PTI’s student wing, the Insaf Students Federation (ISF), where he served as the provincial president. Later, he joined Gandapur’s cabinet as Special Assistant for Communication and Works (C&W) and was subsequently promoted to Minister for Higher Education.
Afridi is also a member of the PTI Central Executive Committee, which plays a key role in shaping the party’s policy direction. Political analysts describe him as a loyal party worker with strong grassroots connections in the newly merged tribal districts.
Assembly composition and voting details
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly currently has 145 members, out of which 93 belong to the ruling coalition led by PTI.
With a simple majority of 73 votes required to secure the position of Chief Minister, Afridi’s 90 votes ensured a clear victory, even in the absence of opposition participation.
The opposition alliance, which includes parties such as the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), boycotted the vote in protest. Their absence, however, did not affect the outcome, given the PTI’s dominant strength in the assembly.
Challenges ahead for the new chief minister
Sohail Afridi now faces significant challenges, including addressing fiscal pressures, improving law and order in tribal districts, and managing relations with the federal government.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been struggling with security issues, unemployment, and delayed development projects, particularly in the merged areas where infrastructure remains underdeveloped.
Political analysts note that Afridi’s youthful profile and close association with PTI’s leadership may bring a renewed focus on governance reforms. However, he will also have to balance party expectations with administrative realities in a politically polarized environment.
Outlook
Sohail Afridi’s elevation marks a new phase in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s political landscape. His appointment underscores PTI’s attempt to rebuild internal unity while ensuring continuity in governance after Gandapur’s exit.
As the province grapples with economic and security challenges, Afridi’s ability to deliver results and maintain stability will determine both his political future and the PTI’s standing in one of its traditional strongholds.
