Peshawar Staff Reporter
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) nominee Suhail Afridi was elected as the new Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday, securing 90 votes in the provincial assembly. The assembly session was chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati.
Afridi, in his maiden address to the house after being elected, expressed gratitude to the founding leader of PTI, stating, “I am thankful to the PTI founder for choosing a humble worker like me—someone with no political background, no brother, father or uncle in politics.” He emphasized that he did not become Chief Minister through any favoritism or “slip,” but through hard work.
He declared, “First, I am a Pakistani, then a Pashtun, and a tribal. Just adding ‘Zardari’ or ‘Bhutto’ to your name doesn’t make you a leader.”
Afridi added that the state survives due to the will of the people and criticized the alleged manipulation of the February 8 elections, saying, “The people voted overwhelmingly for PTI, but unfortunately, rigging was carried out under the so-called ‘London Plan’ to eliminate PTI from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”
He further claimed that efforts were being made to reintroduce terrorism in the province and warned that if the PTI founder’s prison location was changed without consultation, “we will shut down the entire country.”
Ali Amin Gandapur Congratulates Suhail Afridi
Former Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur addressed the assembly, congratulating Afridi in advance. He stated, “We want the rule of law in this country. All actions taken during my tenure are on record. A government can only succeed if it is strong.”
He recalled the financial crisis upon taking office, saying they had only 15 days’ worth of salaries in the treasury. While acknowledging the opposition’s grievances over lack of development funds, he insisted that “I still provided funds to your constituencies.”
Gandapur reaffirmed loyalty to the PTI founder, stating, “He has always put the country before himself. He is fighting for the future of our children, and we stand by him.”
Speaker Defends CM Election Amid Opposition Protest
During the session, Speaker Babar Saleem Swati initiated the election process for the new Chief Minister. He ruled that Gandapur’s resignation, submitted on October 8 and again on October 11, was valid and in accordance with Article 130(8) of the Constitution.
He rejected the governor’s objections as unconstitutional and confirmed Suhail Afridi as the PTI chairman’s nominee. “The constitution does not operate on personal wishes,” Swati said. “It will be followed to the letter.”
Opposition Challenges Legality of the Process
Opposition Leader Dr. Ibadullah contested the legitimacy of the process, arguing that a new Chief Minister cannot be elected while Gandapur’s resignation remains unverified. He said, “The Governor has summoned Gandapur to clarify the matter, yet our friends are rushing through the process and making it controversial.”
Despite the opposition’s walkout and protests from the assembly gallery, the Speaker maintained order and warned of action against any disruption.
Multiple Candidates, But PTI Wins
Suhail Afridi was among four candidates vying for the position. Other candidates included Maulana Lutfur Rehman from JUI-F, Arbab Zarak from PPP, and Sardar Shah Jehan from PML-N. However, PTI’s internal unity and strong numbers secured Afridi’s victory.
Interestingly, PTI had reached out to PML-N and ANP seeking cooperation to elect their Chief Minister unopposed, but opposition parties failed to reach consensus on a single nominee.