KEY POINTS
- Ali Amin Gandapur resigns following Imran Khan’s direct order.
- PTI’s Secretary-General confirms leadership change after consultation
- Gandapur calls CM post “Imran Khan’s amaanat” in deleted post.
- Imran Khan seeks new leadership to handle security challenges.
- PTI denies Gandapur’s removal linked to Aleema Khan rift.
- Sohail Afridi, 35, holds BS in Economics and hails from Khyber district.
PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has appointed Sohail Afridi as the new Chief Minister of the country’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, replacing Ali Amin Gandapur, who announced his resignation on Wednesday following directives from the party founder.
The decision was confirmed by PTI’s Secretary-General, Salman Akram Raja, who told reporters outside Adiala Jail that Imran Khan had personally ordered the change in the province’s leadership.
“It is correct that Sohail Afridi will replace Ali Amin Gandapur as the new chief minister,” Raja said, adding that the decision came after detailed consultations with Khan inside the jail earlier in the day.
A post shared on Gandapur’s verified social media account—later deleted—quoted him as saying, “The position of chief minister was Imran Khan sahib’s amaanat (trust). As per his order, I am returning this amaanat and submitting my resignation.”
Later, Gandapur announced on X that he had resigned from the office of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in compliance with the instructions of PTI’s founding chairman. He highlighted his government’s efforts to restore financial stability, counter militancy, and launch development projects despite difficult circumstances.
In respectful compliance of the orders of my leader, and Founding Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan, it is my honour to tender my resignation from the Office of the Chief Minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
When I took over as Chief Minister, the province was faced with a… pic.twitter.com/b43onAVAby
— Ali Amin Khan Gandapur (@AliAminKhanPTI) October 8, 2025
The PTI also confirmed the development through its official X account, stating that Gandapur had stepped down “in accordance with Imran Khan’s directive.”
Security concerns
Addressing the media later, Salman Akram Raja said the decision to replace Gandapur was made after Khan expressed “deep concern” over the deteriorating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“There is a severe wave of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” Raja said, quoting Imran Khan. “There have been record incidents this year—losses of life and martyrdoms without precedent. The incident in Orakzai deeply grieved Khan sahib, and he decided that a change was necessary.”
Raja added that Imran believed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government needed to “distance itself from the misguided policies of the federal government.”
He said Khan wanted the new provincial leadership to adopt a “more independent and constructive approach” to address security challenges and improve coordination with tribal communities.
“Khan sahib believes there are three key stakeholders—residents of the tribal areas. Excluding them from dialogue has made the problem worse,” Raja said.
‘No Vote of No-Confidence’
Raja clarified that there would be no vote of no-confidence against Gandapur, as he had voluntarily stepped down on Imran’s instructions. “Ali Amin is a loyal party member,” Raja said. “Imran Khan has spoken well of him and believes he will continue to play a positive political role in the province.”
He also dismissed speculation that the leadership change was linked to Gandapur’s recent rift with Imran’s sister, Aleema Khan, who had publicly accused him of attempting to divide the party.
“Imran Khan has expressed goodwill towards Ali Amin,” Raja maintained, insisting that the reshuffle had nothing to do with internal party disputes.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan confirmed in Islamabad that Gandapur’s resignation would be submitted to the governor on Thursday. “Once Khan sahib issues instructions, no party body can contradict them,” he said. “Everyone will support the new government formed as per his direction.”
Gohar emphasised that the party remained united with a two-thirds majority in the provincial assembly, adding that Gandapur had performed diligently as chief minister and continued to enjoy the party’s respect.
Who is Sohail Afridi?
Born on July 12, 1989, in Khyber district, Sohail Afridi was elected as an independent MPA from PK-70 (Khyber-II) in the February 2024 general elections. He later joined PTI after defeating Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s Bilawal Afridi and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F)’s Hameedullah Jan Afridi by a large margin.
Afridi holds a BS degree in Economics and previously served as Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Communications and Works. More recently, he was assigned the Higher Education portfolio in the provincial cabinet.
According to Salman Akram Raja, Imran Khan expects the new Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government under Sohail Afridi to mark “a new beginning” and promote policies rooted in peace and regional understanding.
“Khan sahib wants Afridi to guide the federal government on how to achieve stability in the region and to make it clear that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa does not endorse the failed policies of the centre,” Raja said.
“The goal now is to rebuild trust, involve jirgas and tribal elders, and steer the province towards genuine peace and autonomy.”
