Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has confirmed the removal of Ali Amin Gandapur from the position of Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Raja announced that Sohail Afridi has been appointed as the new Chief Minister of KP, a decision taken personally by PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
Speaking to the media, Raja cited the deteriorating security situation in KP as a major reason behind the leadership change. He highlighted recent terrorist attacks, including the martyrdom of security personnel in Orakzai, stressing that the provincial government must distance itself from the federal government’s flawed policies to effectively combat terrorism.
Raja criticized the federal government’s handling of Afghanistan and cross-border issues, emphasising that the KP government has failed to assert its autonomy from these policies. He urged for negotiations as the only viable method to end terrorism and expressed hope that Sohail Afridi will guide the provincial government under federal leadership to safeguard the lives and property of the people.
Furthermore, Raja disclosed that PTI founder Imran Khan has ordered Ali Amin Gandapur to resign, stating it is in the best interest of the province and the party to begin a fresh chapter with new policies.
Ali Amin Gandapur has yet to receive formal notification of his removal but has expressed willingness to resign if directed by the party leadership, calling his tenure a “trust” of the party and Imran Khan.
Sohail Afridi, the incoming Chief Minister, hails from District Khyber and has been a provincial assembly member from PK-70. He previously served as KP president of the Justice Students Federation and as Special Assistant on Communication and Works before being appointed Minister for Higher Education in the current cabinet reshuffle.
This leadership change comes amid an intensifying wave of violence in KP, which has put additional pressure on PTI to demonstrate effective governance and security management in its stronghold.
