Peshawar Staff Reporter
In a major political development, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has announced his resignation from office. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has nominated Sohail Afridi, a member of the KP Provincial Assembly, as his successor.
In an official statement, Gandapur said the chief ministership was a “trust given by the PTI founder” and that he was returning it on the founder’s instructions. “I resign in obedience to the directive of the PTI founder, as this position was entrusted to me by him,” Gandapur stated.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja confirmed the resignation and the nomination of Sohail Afridi, saying the move aligns with the directions given by party founder Imran Khan, who remains influential despite legal and political challenges.
The leadership change comes amid growing internal tensions within PTI. Recent weeks saw public disagreements between Gandapur and Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan. Aleema accused Gandapur of sidelining her from party affairs, while Gandapur alleged that she was encouraging factionalism within the party.
These internal rifts surfaced earlier this year as well, most notably during the passage of KP’s financial budget in June, when divisions among party ranks became visible.
Sohail Afridi’s nomination signals a possible attempt by PTI leadership to restore internal unity and stabilize its political footing in the province. Further developments are expected as the KP Assembly prepares for the formal transition of leadership.
