A major political shake-up is imminent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) as the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has confirmed that a decision has been made to remove Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur from office.
The move follows months of internal disputes and growing tensions within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership.
According to credible sources, the political conflict between party founder Imran Khan's sister, Aleema Khan, and CM Ali Amin Gandapur has reached its logical conclusion, prompting the leadership to initiate the process of change at the provincial level.
Confirming the development, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja told the media, “It is true that Ali Amin Gandapur is being removed from the chief ministership. Sohail Afridi has been nominated as the new chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following a decision by the PTI founder.”
According to Raja, the PTI founder was deeply saddened by the Orakzai incident and believed that change was the only viable option, given the worsening security and terrorism situation in the province. He further said that the KP government failed to distance itself from federal government policies, which led to dissatisfaction within the party’s leadership.
The PTI founder now expects Sohail Afridi to work with the federal government and help stabilize the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through constructive engagement, he added.
Sohail Afridi to become new CM
The next chief minister belongs to the merged tribal districts of KP. Afridi hails from the Khyber district, and was already the top contender for the position.
The decision is said to be part of a broader strategy to restore unity within PTI’s provincial leadership and to bring fresh representation from the newly merged areas into the provincial government.
Gandapur's response
In response to the reports of his removal, Gandapur said the decisions would be conveyed after the party leaders met with the PTI founder in jail. “I have not yet received any official instructions from the founder,” the KP chief minister added.
“The position of chief minister is a trust of the party, and I will step down whenever the leadership asks me to,” he stated.
Political tensions between Aleema Khan, Gandapur escalate
The political feud between Aleema Khan, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, and Ali Amin Gandapur has been simmering for months. Both figures have publicly traded accusations and blamed each other for internal divisions and policy disagreements within the party.
Sources claim that the PTI’s central leadership has grown increasingly concerned about the ongoing infighting, which has undermined party discipline and created friction among key provincial leaders.
PTI leadership responds
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar had earlier claimed that he had no knowledge of the chief minister’s removal. “I have not received any such information so far,” he had told Samaa TV, adding that the statement attributed to him is also false.
Subsequently, speaking to the media, Barrister Gohar said that Ali Amin Gandapur removed as KP Chief Minister at the wish of Imran Khan.
Barrister Gohar confirmed that, as per the wishes of the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Ali Amin Gandapur has been instructed to resign.
He said the PTI remains united under the founder's leadership and that there is no faction within the party, only differences of opinion.
Barrister Gohar praised Ali Amin Gandapur for his valuable role in the party.
He explained that the founder did not replace Ali Amin due to failure in carrying out instructions.
The founder made no mention of disputes involving Aleema Khan.
Sohail Afridi has been nominated by the founder of PTI.
Barrister Gohar stated that only a PTI government will rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He paid tribute to Ali Amin Gandapur’s services.
Gohar said: "Ali Amin Gandapur held the office of Chief Minister only as long as he retained the founder’s trust. There is no forward bloc within PTI. All parties will support any government formed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa."
"Ali Amin Gandapur is expected to submit a summary to the Governor tomorrow, along with his resignation. The chief minister does not have the authority to accept a resignation. Resignations must be sent to the Governor by the Chief Minister."
Gohar has made it clear that he met Ali Amin Gandapur, adding that Ali Amin told him he wished to submit his resignation.
