Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Sohail Afridi was elected as the new Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He secured 90 votes in the provincial assembly session held under Speaker Babar Saleem Swati’s chairmanship. The assembly has 145 members, and 73 votes were needed for a win. Four candidates contested, but PTI’s Afridi won by a large margin. The opposition parties walked out before the voting started, showing no support for any candidate.
Former Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation was rejected by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. Gandapur addressed the assembly and congratulated Afridi on his victory. He recalled the challenges his government faced, such as limited funds and development issues. Gandapur emphasized his loyalty to PTI’s founder and expressed his commitment to justice and the rights of oppressed Muslims. He also praised the PTI leader for sacrificing for Pakistan’s future.
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During his victory speech, Sohail Afridi thanked PTI chief Imran Khan for trusting him. Afridi highlighted his humble tribal background and promised to fight against the neglect faced by tribal people. He praised the chairman for acknowledging this historic marginalization and offering new opportunities based on merit. Afridi also honored journalists who risk their lives for truth and paid tribute to the late Arshad Sharif.
Afridi vowed to work hard for his leader’s release and promised to take new steps for his cause. He described himself as a “champion of protest politics” and declared his loyalty to the PTI chairman. Afridi warned that any move to shift the chairman from jail without family consent would face massive protests. He criticized past governments for toppling PTI due to refusing to recognize Israel and stressed that peace and democracy remain their goal.
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The session started amid political tensions, with opposition parties failing to unite behind a candidate. PTI worked actively to gain support from other parties like PML-N and ANP but did not secure full backing. Despite this, Afridi’s clear majority reflects strong support from independents and PTI members. His election marks a new chapter in KP politics, with promises of reform and focus on tribal areas.