After days of intense political drama and confusion surrounding the resignation and election of the provincial chief executive, Sohail Afridi has officially taken oath as the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Afridi’s appointment marks a significant transition in the province’s political leadership, replacing Ali Amin Gandapur, who was asked to step down by the PTI founder and former Prime Minister, Imran Khan.
Sohail Afridi Becomes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister
The oath-taking ceremony took place at the KP Governor House, where Governor Faisal Karim Kundi administered the oath to the newly elected Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister. This move came after the Peshawar High Court (PHC) directed the governor to complete the oath process by 4 p.m. or else authorize KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati to perform the duty.
Afridi’s election came on October 13, following the resignation of former Chief Minister Gandapur. Despite a boycott by opposition parties including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Afridi won with 90 votes, securing a clear mandate from the PTI-dominated assembly.
Imran Khan’s Directive and Afridi’s Mandate
The change in KP’s leadership was orchestrated directly by PTI founder Imran Khan from jail, who instructed Gandapur to resign and nominated Sohail Afridi as the new Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister. Khan’s decision came amid growing concerns about the province’s deteriorating law and order situation and governance challenges.
In his message on X (formerly Twitter), Imran Khan congratulated Afridi and urged him to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to combat terrorism and restore peace in the region. He emphasized that KP must focus on formulating a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy to ensure long-term stability and economic revival.
The PTI founder praised the KP Assembly members for standing firm on their ideology and voting unanimously for Afridi. Referring to him as his “opening batsman,” Khan encouraged the new chief minister to “play with confidence” and lead the province with conviction and responsibility.
Who Is Sohail Afridi?
Sohail Khan Afridi is a young and dynamic PTI leader hailing from Bara Tehsil in Khyber District. Before his elevation as Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he served as the provincial minister for higher education. Known for his grassroots connection and long-standing association with PTI since his student years, Afridi is considered one of the party’s most loyal and ideologically driven figures.
His appointment as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister is seen as a move to inject new energy into the provincial administration, particularly as PTI faces political challenges both nationally and within the province. Afridi’s youth and clean political background have strengthened his image as a reform-oriented leader capable of addressing governance and security concerns.
Political Background and Court Intervention
The entire episode leading up to Afridi’s appointment was marked by legal and political maneuvering. Initially, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi had rejected Gandapur’s resignation, creating a constitutional standoff. However, the Peshawar High Court’s ruling ensured a smooth transition by mandating that the oath be administered without further delay.
Observers believe that the swift intervention of the judiciary helped prevent a potential constitutional crisis in the province, where tensions had been escalating between the provincial and federal authorities.
Challenges for the New Chief Minister
As the newly sworn-in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Afridi faces multiple challenges. The province continues to grapple with terrorism threats, economic constraints, and governance issues. Security experts have repeatedly highlighted the resurgence of militant activity in certain districts of KP, making counterterrorism a top priority for the new government.
In addition, Afridi must work toward rebuilding public confidence in governance mechanisms, strengthening local institutions, and addressing issues like unemployment and development disparities across the merged tribal districts. With PTI’s strong mandate in the province, expectations from the new leadership are significantly high.
Imran Khan’s Message to KP Leadership
Imran Khan’s statement following Afridi’s oath-taking reflected both confidence and caution. He reaffirmed that the PTI government in KP must remain answerable to the people, not to anyone else,stressing the importance of transparent governance and accountability. Khan also expressed appreciation for outgoing Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur for stepping down gracefully in the party’s broader interest, ensuring a peaceful power transition.
The appointment of Sohail Afridi as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister signifies a major political shift within PTI’s provincial leadership. Backed by the party’s founder, Afridi now bears the responsibility of navigating KP through complex challenges — from tackling terrorism to boosting development. His leadership will be a crucial test of PTI’s governance model and its ability to deliver stability and reform in one of Pakistan’s most strategically important provinces.
As Sohail Afridi begins his tenure, all eyes remain on how effectively he implements Imran Khan’s directives and steers Khyber Pakhtunkhwa toward lasting peace, prosperity, and political stability.
