In a significant and momentous development, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Sohail Afridi ascended to the position of the new chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. His election came after he commanded an impressive 90 votes in the provincial assembly during a tense Monday session in Peshawar that took place amidst heightened security measures.
The atmosphere leading up to Afridi’s triumph was charged with political tension, largely due to the lingering doubts over the resignation of the former chief minister, Ali Amin Gandapur, as well as the opposition’s fierce objections to the procedures of the election process.
The K-P Assembly, with a total of 145 members, necessitated a minimum of 73 votes to achieve a straightforward majority. Afridi, representing the PTI, comfortably surpassed this threshold, thereby reinforcing his party’s dominance over the provincial administration.
Notably, PTI legislator Asif Mehsud was absent from the voting due to being overseas at the time. Upon the declaration of the election results, a jubilant spirit filled the assembly floor, with numerous assembly members offering congratulations to Afridi and enveloping him in embraces to celebrate his success.
Afridi’s rivals for the post included Maulana Lutfur Rehman of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Sardar Shahjahan Yousaf from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Arbab Zarak of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
Earlier, opposition parties had debated fielding a joint candidate or boycotting the vote. They had argued that the election could not proceed until Gandapur’s resignation was constitutionally accepted. However, the government maintained that under the Constitution, the governor has no authority to approve or reject a resignation.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi had raised objections over Gandapur’s signatures and summoned him for clarification on October 15, but the election proceeded as scheduled.
Speaker Babar Saleem Swati presided over the session and earlier met with Opposition Leader Dr Ibadullah to discuss procedural concerns. Negotiations between both sides continued before voting began.
Strict security arrangements were enforced across Peshawar, while a special breakfast was organised for PTI lawmakers at the Chief Minister’s House before the session.
With Afridi’s election, PTI strengthens its hold over Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s government, overcoming legal ambiguity and political friction to ensure a decisive victory.