PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sohail Afridi was elected as the new chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday, securing 90 votes in the provincial assembly amid an opposition boycott, which termed the election “unconstitutional.”
The session, chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, declared Afridi as the Leader of the House after completing the voting process. The opposition parties, however, walked out in protest and refused to take part in the election.
Speaker Swati clarified that the election was held according to constitutional rules, adding that the province must have an elected chief minister in line with the law.
Opposition walkout
Leader of the Opposition Dr. Ibadullah, along with Maulana Lutfur Rehman and Akram Durrani of JUI-F, led the walkout, claiming the election violated the Constitution.
“The election of another chief minister while one is already in office is illegal,” Dr. Ibadullah stated, asserting that he still recognized Ali Amin Gandapur as the legitimate CM.
Gandapur’s response and PTI’s stance
Former Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, addressing the assembly, congratulated Sohail Afridi, saying the decision was made on the direction of PTI’s founder. “Our goal is peace and justice in the country,” he said, urging the opposition not to obstruct the democratic process.
PTI KP President Junaid Akbar warned lawmakers against defying party leadership. “Anyone betraying PTI’s founder’s nominee will face public accountability,” he stated.
Governor’s objection over resignation
Earlier, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi raised concerns about Gandapur’s resignation, saying two versions of the resignation letter carried different signatures. He summoned Gandapur to appear in person on October 15 to confirm his resignation, but the assembly proceeded with the election regardless.
In the 145-member assembly, the PTI-led government holds 93 seats, while the opposition has 52. A simple majority of 73 votes was needed for victory.
Initially, four candidates were in the running — PTI’s Sohail Afridi, JUI-F’s Maulana Lutfur Rehman, PPP’s Arbab Zarak Khan, and PML-N’s Sardar Shahjahan Yousaf — but Afridi emerged victorious.
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