Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has confirmed that Ali Amin Gandapur has been replaced as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister by Sohail Afridi. Afridi, who hails from Qaim Khel in Bara, district Khyber, was elected as a Member of the Provincial Assembly for the first time in the 2024 general elections. A long-time PTI activist, he previously served as President of the Insaf Students Federation (ISF) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and later became Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Communication and Works before being appointed Minister for Higher Education.
At 36, Sohail Afridi will be the youngest person to ever assume the post of KP Chief Minister, and notably, the first to come from the former tribal areas (erstwhile FATA). The previous youngest chief minister, Ameer Haider Hoti, took office at 37. Afridi is also a member of PTI’s Central Executive Committee, further strengthening his influence within the party.
Salman Akram Raja explained that Imran Khan decided on the change due to worsening security conditions in KP and internal party divisions following Gandapur’s allegations against Aleema Khan. Khan reportedly felt compelled to make a leadership change amid growing terror incidents, including a deadly attack in Orakzai. Gandapur, in his resignation statement, confirmed he stepped down on Khan’s instructions and expressed full support for Sohail Afridi, pledging to work together for PTI’s unity and the release of the party’s founder.
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