Sohail Afridi wins CM election in KP with clear majority

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Sohail Afridi has been elected as the new Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, securing 90 votes in the provincial assembly.

Speaker Babar Saleem Swati announced the result after the completion of the voting process in the House. Before the ballot began, the Speaker directed that assembly bells be rung for five minutes to allow any absent members to return.

He also instructed lawmakers to register their names at the lobby gate before the voting commenced. Following the brief delay, polling began, during which Afridi secured a clear majority, defeating his rivals to become the province’s new leader of the House.

Addressing the House, former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur said he resigned the same day Imran Khan instructed him to do so, emphasizing that the democratic process should not be turned into a mockery. “We will no longer tolerate what has been happening,” he warned.

Reflecting on his 19-month tenure, Gandapur stated that when his government took office, the provincial treasury had funds for only 18 days of salaries. “Today, there are Rs218 billion in the provincial exchequer,” he said, adding that while the opposition may criticize him for not allocating funds to them, “the people are satisfied because the money was spent on public welfare.”

He reaffirmed his loyalty to the party founder, saying, “Our leader is making sacrifices for us and for future generations — we stand firmly with the PTI.”

Addressing Opposition Leader KP Dr Ibadullah, said that the resignation of Ali Amin Gandapur has not yet been approved, as a Chief Minister cannot be elected as another Chief Minister.

Speaker KP Assembly Babar Saleem Swati said after addressing the opposition leader that Ali Amin Gundapur sent the resignation twice and announced his resignation in the House today. Some people want Sohail Afridi not to become the chief minister, but the constitution will not follow the wishes of the people.

Babar Saleem Swati, while reading the rolling in this regard, said that the procedure of the new leader will be in accordance with the constitution, after which the name of the elected chief minister will be announced.

our candidates are in the running for the position. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has nominated Sohail Afridi, while the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has put forward Maulana Lutf-ur-Rehman as its candidate.

From the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Sardar Shah Jehan Yousaf is contesting, whereas the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has nominated Arbab Zarak Khan for the top provincial office.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly comprises 145 members, including 93 from the treasury benches and 52 from the opposition.

73 votes will be needed to be elected to the Leader of the House, and consultation is underway by the opposition parties to bring a joint candidate.