Peshawar: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sohail Afridi has been elected as the 30th Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, securing 90 votes in the provincial assembly. The election took place amid protests and a walkout by opposition members who termed the process “unconstitutional.”
The session, chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, began an hour later than scheduled. Out of 145 members, Sohail Afridi emerged victorious after securing a majority, while the opposition boycotted the proceedings.
Afridi, a member from PK-70, has made history as the first Chief Minister from the merged tribal districts. He also becomes PTI’s fourth Chief Minister in the province, following Pervez Khattak, Mahmood Khan, and Ali Amin Gandapur.
During the session, Opposition Leader Dr. Ibadullah criticized the proceedings, stating that the election should take place only after the formal acceptance of Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation and dissolution of the cabinet. “We cannot be part of a process that raises constitutional concerns,” he said.
Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, however, ruled that the election was conducted in accordance with the law, stating, “Ali Amin Gandapur had submitted his resignation twice and confirmed it on the assembly floor. The Constitution cannot be held hostage to personal wishes.”
In his farewell address, Ali Amin Gandapur congratulated Sohail Afridi, saying he resigned on October 8 in the spirit of democratic continuity. He highlighted his government’s fiscal performance, noting that “the province’s treasury now holds 280 billion rupees.”
He added, “No single member was deprived of development work in their constituency. We must all unite for the lasting peace and security of the province.”
