In a major political shake-up, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has decided to remove Ali Amin Gandapur from his post as Chief Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), nominating Sohail Afridi as his successor.
Confirming the move, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja told reporters outside Adiala Jail on Wednesday that Imran Khan had personally directed the leadership to make the announcement. “Yes, Ali Amin Gandapur is being replaced. Sohail Afridi will be the new chief minister of K-P,” Raja stated.
According to Raja, Imran Khan expressed deep concern over the province’s deteriorating security situation, calling it “the worst wave of terrorism in recent years.” Referring to the recent Orakzai attack, he said Imran was “deeply grieved by the loss of innocent lives” and felt that a change in leadership was essential.
Following the announcement, Gandapur resigned from his position, calling the CM office “a trust from the PTI founder.” In a statement, he said, “As per his directions, I return this trust and submit my resignation.”
The nomination of Sohail Afridi, a first-time MPA from PK-70 Khyber district, marks a historic moment as he becomes the first chief minister from the region since its merger with K-P. Afridi, a long-time PTI member and former head of the Insaf Students Federation (ISF), previously served as Provincial Minister for Higher Education and Special Assistant on Communication and Works.
Party sources say Afridi’s elevation aims to reunify PTI’s divided provincial leadership and strengthen representation from the tribal belt. However, the move comes amid deep internal rifts within PTI, particularly a feud between Gandapur and Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan.
Insiders claim the conflict had grown intense in recent months, with accusations and counterclaims creating unrest within the K-P government. Gandapur also faced criticism from senior PTI figures over the hurried passage of the provincial budget without Imran’s direct approval a step he defended as necessary to prevent the imposition of governor’s rule.
PTI leadership is now working on a formal transition plan for the new chief minister, which will be finalized after consultations with Imran Khan inside Adiala Jail.
