Gandapur resigns
PESHAWAR
Minister for Higher Education Sohail Afridi is set to assume the office of Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the resignation of incumbent Ali Amin Gandapur, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) General Secretary Salman Akram Raja confirmed the development on Wednesday.
According to sources, the decision to remove Gandapur was taken during a meeting at Adiala Jail, where PTI founder Imran Khan reportedly directed party leaders to replace him. Imran Khan also nominated Sohail Afridi, the current Minister for Higher Education, as the new Chief Minister, sources confirmed.
Following the announcement, Gandapur issued a statement through his spokesperson Faraz Mughal, saying, “The post of Chief Minister was a trust given to me by Imran Khan. As per his directive, I am returning this trust by resigning.”
He added that he fully supports Sohail Afridi’s appointment and will continue to stand by the new Chief Minister.
Hailing from the merged tribal district of Khyber, Afridi was elected to the provincial assembly from constituency PK-70 (Khyber-2) during the 2024 general elections.
His nomination marks a major shift within the PTI.
While the official announcement is still pending, internal reports suggest the decision has been finalized by the PTI founding chairman Imran Khan and other leaders of the party.
Afridi’s political journey began with the Insaf Students Federation (ISF), PTI’s student wing, where he held various leadership positions.
His early involvement in student politics laid the foundation for his rise within the party ranks.
Holding a bachelor’s degree in economics, Afridi is known for his energetic engagement with youth and his commitment to PTI’s reformist agenda.
Party insiders describe him as one of PTI’s most active young leaders, with a reputation for connecting with constituents and advocating for development in the tribal districts.
His nomination is seen as a nod to the growing influence of the merged districts in provincial politics and recognition of the need for inclusive governance.
As the province awaits an official confirmation, Afridi’s potential appointment is already generating buzz among political observers and PTI supporters alike.
