Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf Sohail Afridi has been elected as the new chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which secures 90 votes in the provincial assembly during Monday’s session, which was held under tight security in Peshawar.
Afridi’s election followed a tense political environment characterized by uncertainty about former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation and opposition objections to the election process.
The KP assembly includes 145 members with 73 votes required for a simple majority. PTI’s Afridi comfortably exceeded this field and consolidated the party’s control over the province.
PTI legislator Asif Mehsud could not participate in the voting process as he is currently abroad. Following the announcement of results, members of the assembly congratulated Afridi, with many embracing him for celebration on the assembly floor.
Read: Confusion surrounds KP CM’s choice
Afridis rivals for the position included Maulana Lutfur Rehman of Jamat Disadvanta-e-Islam-Fazl (Jui-F), Sardar Shahjahan Yousaf of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Arbab Zarak of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
Previously, opposition parties had discussed the field a joint candidate or the Boikot voting. They had claimed that the election could not continue until Gandapur’s resignation was constitutionally accepted. However, the government maintained that the governor under the Constitution has no authority to approve or reject a resignation.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi had raised objections to Gandapur’s signatures and called him to clarify on October 15, but the election continued as planned.
Speaker Babar Saleem Swati President of the session and previously met with opposition leader Dr. IBadullah to discuss procedural concerns. Negotiations between both sides continued before the vote began.
Read more: KP Assembly Speaker Contenes session to choose new head of the house on October 13
Strict security schemes were enforced across Peshawar, while a special breakfast was arranged for PTI legislators in Chief Minister’s House before the session.
With Afridi’s election, PTI strengthens his team over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s government and overcomes legal ambiguity and political friction to ensure a decisive victory.
