In a stunning political maneuver exposing deep fissures within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced his resignation on Wednesday, a directive issued by the party’s founder following a period of intense internal conflict and public disagreements.
“I am resigning from the office of chief minister on the instructions of our party founder,” Gandapur declared in a statement, vowing complete backing for the nominated successor, Sohail Afridi, who is expected to take charge as the new head of the provincial government.
The leadership change was swiftly confirmed by PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja. “It is correct that Ali Amin Gandapur is being removed from the office of chief minister. Sohail Afridi has been nominated as the new chief minister of KP,” Raja told journalists in Rawalpindi.
Raja disclosed that the party founder had directed Gandapur to step down in his “own best interest.” He projected a seamless transition, stating, “There will be no difficulty – Gandapur will resign, and the assembly will elect Afridi as the new chief minister.”
He further revealed that the party was on the cusp of announcing a “new policy and a fresh beginning,” and that Afridi would be tasked with guiding and advising the federal government on key national issues.
This upheaval comes amid escalating internal divisions that recently spilled into public view. Gandapur and the party founder’s sister, Aleema Khan, had exchanged sharp remarks, prompting the PTI founder to reportedly order both to refrain from public commentary to defuse tensions.
The outgoing chief minister had previously warned the party leadership about “vloggers” who he alleged were attempting to create divisions and were promoting Aleema Khan as a potential future party chairperson or even prime minister. Party sources also indicated that Gandapur’s relationship with Bushra Bibi had soured during her brief release from jail, further straining his ties with the core leadership.
Addressing the province’s security challenges, Raja noted that KP was facing a renewed wave of terrorism and censured the federal government’s policies, especially the recent expulsion of Afghan citizens, which he termed “unnecessary.” He emphasized that terrorism could only be eradicated through dialogue.
The PTI secretary general also took aim at former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, noting he “remained foreign minister for over a year and never visited Afghanistan.” Meanwhile, he confirmed that multiple cases had been registered against Aleema Khan and conveyed that “the PTI founder believes that now Noreen Khan will carry forward his message.’