Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari launched a scathing attack on the recent leadership change in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), claiming that the former chief minister was removed not through a political process, but due to a domestic spat involving “two housewives.” Speaking to media in Lahore on Monday, Bukhari questioned the legitimacy of the newly elected CM Sohail Afridi and criticized PTI’s internal politics.
She mocked Afridi’s maiden speech in the KP Assembly, where he rejected the label of a “parchi” (handpicked) chief minister. Bukhari responded sharply, saying, “You are not a parchi CM, you are a farshi CM,” implying he was appointed through informal, possibly non-political, means. She alleged that his selection had little to do with merit or democratic process, and more to do with backroom power struggles.
Read more: Sohail Afridi says he wasn’t elected on any ‘parchi’
Bukhari further pointed out that the previous KP chief minister had not even been officially de-notified before the new one was elected. “How can a second CM be elected when the first hasn’t been removed legally?” she asked. Her statement alludes to a possible constitutional breach and deepening political confusion in the province.
She also claimed that the removal was sparked by a personal conflict between two influential women associated with the PTI’s inner circle. Without naming names, Bukhari hinted that the former CM’s downfall was engineered through personal disputes rather than political failings or public dissatisfaction. The implication raised eyebrows, drawing attention to alleged internal power struggles within PTI.
Read more: PTI’s Sohail Afridi wins KP Chief Minister seat with 90 votes
Her remarks come amid growing tension between the federal government and PTI-led KP administration. As Afridi begins his term, his government faces increasing scrutiny—not just from opposition leaders like Bukhari, but also from legal experts questioning the constitutional process that led to his appointment. The controversy is likely to intensify in the coming days as both sides dig in.