Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Sohail Afridi has been elected the new chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, securing 90 votes in the provincial assembly during Monday’s session held under tight security in Peshawar.
Afridi’s election came after a tense political environment marked by uncertainty over the resignation of former Prime Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and opposition objections to the electoral process.
The KP Assembly is made up of 145 members, and 73 votes are required to obtain a simple majority. PTI’s Afridi comfortably surpassed that mark, consolidating the party’s control over the province.
PTI legislator Asif Mehsud could not participate in the voting process as he is currently abroad. After the results were announced, the assembly members congratulated Afridi and many hugged him to celebrate him in the assembly.
Read: Confusion surrounds KP CM election
Afridi’s rivals for the position included Maulana Lutfur Rehman of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Sardar Shahjahan Yousaf of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Arbab Zarak of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
Previously, opposition parties had debated running a joint candidate or boycotting the vote. They had argued that elections could not be held until Gandapur’s resignation was constitutionally accepted. However, the government maintained that under the Constitution, the governor does not have the authority to approve or reject a resignation.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi had raised objections to Gandapur’s signatures and summoned him for clarification on October 15, but the elections went ahead as scheduled.
President Babar Saleem Swati presided over the session and earlier met opposition leader Dr Ibadullah to discuss procedural issues. Negotiations between both sides continued before voting began.
Read more: KP Assembly speaker calls session to elect new house leader on October 13
Tight security measures were enforced across Peshawar while a special breakfast was organized for PTI legislators at the Chief Minister House ahead of the session.
With the election of Afridi, the PTI strengthens its control over the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, overcoming legal ambiguity and political friction to secure a decisive victory.
