By Shaheen Afridi

A significant political development has unfolded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has decided to replace Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and has nominated Sohail Afridi as the province’s new Chief Minister.

​PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja confirmed this development, stating that Afridi’s nomination came after approval from the party’s founder, Imran Khan.

​The 36-year-old Sohail Afridi is regarded as one of PTI’s young, dynamic, and reform-minded leaders. Born in 1989, Afridi hails from a middle-class family in Khyber district and belongs to the Shalobar tribe. His political involvement isn’t a result of familial inheritance but a story of grassroots political struggle that began during his student days.

​Afridi started his political career with the Insaf Student Federation (ISF), where he served as the organization’s former provincial president. Later, his organizational skills and influence among the youth helped him achieve a prominent position within the party.

​In February 2024, Sohail Afridi was first elected as a member of the KP Assembly from Constituency PK-70 (Khyber-II) as an independent candidate. Immediately after his success, he formally joined the PTI and was soon appointed as the Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Communications and Works (C&W). Owing to his performance and administrative capabilities, he was later promoted during a cabinet reshuffle, moving from Advisor to the Chief Minister to being assigned the portfolio of Minister for Higher Education in the Chief Minister’s cabinet.

​According to his close associates, Afridi introduced several reformative measures in the higher education sector during his brief tenure and pushed for transparent policies in universities.

​Former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser congratulated Sohail Afridi on his nomination, stating:

​”I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Sohail Afridi on his nomination as the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as per the direction of Imran Khan. Sohail Afridi began his political journey from the Insaf Student Federation during his student life. Today, Imran Khan has once again fulfilled his promise of providing a place for the youth in practical politics. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is truly a party of the youth. Insha’Allah, the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the leadership, and the workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their ideological young Chief Minister, Sohail Afridi.”

​With close ties to party founder Imran Khan, Sohail Afridi is seen as the PTI’s reformist face in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. His performance in the provincial cabinet and strong public engagement in his constituency have made him an emerging leader in provincial politics.

Despite weeks of speculation regarding his potential elevation, Sohail Afridi had consistently dismissed the notion of becoming Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). In a recent statement, he maintained, “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is heading in the right direction under the leadership of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. Our government is fully committed to the agenda of development and stability.”

​However, escalating internal party rifts within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), particularly the growing tension between Ali Amin Gandapur and Aleema Khan, Imran Khan’s sister, ultimately led to a change in leadership. Following this upheaval, Sohail Afridi was nominated for the Chief Ministerial role.

​Barrister Gohar, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, confirmed the leadership change, stating that the party received a directive from Imran Khan to implement the change, and “no questions are asked about his decisions.”

​Regarding the resignation process, Barrister Gohar elaborated, “I spoke with Ali Amin sahib, and he told me he would give me his resignation, but I am not authorized to receive it. According to the law and the Constitution, Ali Amin sahib should submit his resignation under Article 130(8) directly to the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or to Imran Khan sahib.”

​Barrister Gohar further asserted that the PTI holds a two-thirds majority in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and according to Mr. Khan, a strong PTI government will remain in place.

​Political analysts, however, suggest that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is gripped by indecision and plagued by internal grouping.

​The provincial leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Information & Broadcasting/KP Affairs, Akhundzada Ikhtiar Wali, commented that “both an ‘apolitical woman’ and ‘dynastic politics’ are involved in the Chief Minister’s change in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakhtunkhwa is an unfortunate province; one Ali Amin has left, and now ‘Ali Amin Plus’ is arriving. The province appears to be heading toward further deterioration.”

​On the other hand, sources indicate that an inquiry is already underway against the nominated Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, at the NCAIA (National Counter-Terrorism Authority – likely a reference to a related investigative agency like FIA or NAB). Afridi is accused of issuing inflammatory statements against government institutions and officials, with the FIA Cyber Crime Branch Peshawar reportedly conducting the inquiry.

​Despite the controversy, PTI leaders and workers believe Sohail Afridi’s nomination symbolizes the rise of new-generation leadership within the PTI, signalling the party’s shift in focus towards reforms, education, and youth-centric leadership.