The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly is set to elect a new KP Chief Minister today (Monday), while opposition parties have announced a complete boycott of the process. The decision comes amid growing political tension and uncertainty in the province.
Four candidates are in the running for the top post. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has nominated Sohail Afridi, while JUI-F has fielded Maulana Lutfur Rehman. The PML-N is backing Sardar Shah Jahan Yousaf, and the PPP has nominated Arbab Zarak Khan.
Out of 145 total assembly seats, 93 are held by the government and 52 by the opposition. A minimum of 73 votes is required to secure the position of KP Chief Minister.
Opposition Boycotts The Election
The opposition parties held a meeting chaired by Leader of the Opposition Dr. Ibadullah, with participation from Maulana Lutfur Rehman and Akram Khan Durrani of JUI-F. After detailed discussions, the opposition bloc announced a boycott of the KP Chief Minister election, citing constitutional and procedural objections.
Sources inside the assembly revealed that Speaker Babar Saleem Swati tried to persuade the opposition to take part in the vote, but his efforts were unsuccessful.
PTI Issues Warning To Lawmakers
Meanwhile, PTI KP President Junaid Akbar warned party lawmakers against defying party discipline. He said that anyone who betrays the party’s candidate will face public backlash.
“Whoever goes against the founder PTI’s decision, the people will hold them accountable,” he stated.
In other related news also read KP Bans Illegal Mining Throughout Province
Governor Rejects Gandapur’s Resignation
In another development, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi rejected the resignation of outgoing Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. The Governor cited discrepancies in signatures on two separate letters, saying they did not match.
He directed Gandapur to appear at the Governor House on October 15 at 3 PM to confirm his resignation in person.
The election for the new KP Chief Minister comes at a time of political instability, as both the ruling and opposition camps struggle to assert control in the province.
