PESHAWAR: Sohail Afridi of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been elected as the new Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, securing 90 votes. The session of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly was convened under the chairmanship of Speaker Babar Saleem Swati.
Former Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation was notably declined earlier by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. Upon Gandapur’s arrival at the assembly, he received a standing ovation from government members.
In his address to the assembly, Gandapur highlighted the importance of upholding the rule of law across the country. He extended his congratulations to the newly elected Chief Minister, Sohail Afridi, and emphasized that a government can only succeed when it is both stable and robust.
The session, however, was marked by tension, as opposition parties staged a walkout shortly after proceedings began for electing the new chief minister. Despite their absence, voting, initially scheduled for 10:00 a.m., took place as planned via a show of hands. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) secured victory with the support of 92 members, including independents, while the opposition garnered 53 votes.
Following his election, Sohail Afridi addressed the assembly, expressing his gratitude to Imran Khan and reaffirming his stance against military operations in line with his party’s policies. He advocated for tackling terrorism through dialogue and negotiations as more effective alternatives. Afridi criticized longstanding biases that had marginalized tribal communities, commending PTI’s leadership for addressing these injustices and promoting merit-based opportunities.
Afridi also acknowledged the contributions of social media and journalists in fostering accountability, offering special recognition to late journalist Arshad Sharif for his role in holding power to account. He passionately conveyed his admiration for Imran Khan, pledging to dedicate his position to advancing their shared vision, including efforts to secure Khan’s release from detention. Declaring his unwavering loyalty, Afridi resolved to oppose any obstacles standing in the way of PTI’s goals.
The session concluded with Afridi issuing a stern warning against any actions taken concerning his leader without consulting family members. He reiterated his commitment to defending PTI’s mission and leadership, vowing to protect their cause at all costs.
