Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Friday said that Sohail Afridi will continue as chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reaffirming that he enjoys the complete support of the party leadership.
Speaking in Peshawar, Gohar rejected reports circulating on social media about Afridi’s removal, saying that he was nominated for the position by incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan and is performing effectively in office.
He added that the chief minister’s performance reflects positively on the party’s governance in the province.
The PTI chairman termed such claims baseless and part of a failed campaign against him. “Those running a campaign against Sohail Afridi will face disappointment and failure,” he said.
Gohar further asserted that Afridi cannot be disqualified and dismissed any notion of internal divisions, stating that there is no forward bloc within the PTI. He reiterated that the party stands firmly behind the chief minister.
In a recent media talk, Imran’s sister Aleema Khan had bitterly criticised the party leadership, including the chairman and secretary general for not “doing enough” in relation to the PTI protest movement and her brother’s health as well as raised strong objection to the postponement of the party’s public meeting, slated for April 9, the day, PTI government was sent packing in 2022 through a no-confidence motion.
However, PTI Secretary General Barrister Salman Akram Raja also dismissed reports of internal rifts within the party leadership while defending the decision to postpone the April 9 public rally.
Separately, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi called on Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and discussed the overall law and order situation, governance and administrative affairs in the province.
Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shahab Ali Shah was also present during the meeting, said an official handout issued on Friday.
The meeting reviewed the security situation in merged districts, development initiatives and issues related to infiltration from the Afghan border. Matters pertaining to the release of the NFC Award for the province and provincial rights also came under discussion.
They paid tribute to the security forces and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police for their professional capabilities and bravery in operations against Fitna Al-Khawarij. They also honoured the sacrifices of security personnel, police martyrs and civilians who lost their lives in terrorist attacks.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi appreciated the role of the federal government and Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in helping ease tensions between Iran and the United States.
He said that the entire world acknowledged Pakistan’s effective diplomacy in bringing Iran and the United States to the negotiating table.
The Governor said that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stood united with state institutions for the complete elimination of terrorism, adding that durable peace was essential for the province’s development and prosperity.
Speaking on the occasion, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was an important federating unit and the federal government was taking all possible measures for sustainable peace, development and prosperity in the province.