Following the resignation of former Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, the newly elected Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Muhammad Sohail Afridi, has declared in his inaugural address that he will continue the policy of confrontation with the Federal Government. This stance has drawn deep concern from political analysts and the opposition, who argue that this confrontational attitude could be catastrophic for the province’s economic development and worsening terrorism challenges.

Background and Appointment of Sohail Afridi

The political environment in Pakistan, tense since Imran Khan’s removal and subsequent incarceration in 2022, has seen a further deterioration in relations between the PTI-led KP government and the Federal coalition (PML-N and PPP). Former CM Ali Amin Gandapur recently resigned amid internal party dynamics and increasing Federal pressure. This shift was directed by the jailed Imran Khan to energize the party’s leadership in the province.

Muhammad Sohail Afridi, a PTI loyalist and Provincial Assembly member, has been elected as the new Chief Minister at a critical juncture. His appointment comes as KP faces rising terrorism, economic stagnation, and severe reliance on Federal funds.

Chief Minister’s Aggressive Inaugural Speech

During the Provincial Assembly session on October 20, 2025, the new Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi delivered an aggressive speech mirroring his predecessor’s defiant tone. He announced: “I will talk about the Constitution and the rule of law, and if that leads to confrontation with the Federation, so be it, I will still talk.”

Afridi threatened to boycott Federal initiatives if requests for a meeting with Imran Khan were denied, asserting that he would repeat the boycott repeatedly if necessary, regardless of the conflict it might cause. He also announced the launch of a major public movement for Khan’s release and vowed to veto unilateral Federal decisions on the province. Highlighting his administrative priorities, Afridi also expressed his intention to call a provincial ‘Jirga’ (tribal council) in his hometown to restore peace amid escalating terrorism.

Observers described these remarks in the Assembly session as “historic” and “aggressive,” drawing harsh criticism from the opposition and serving a major warning to the Federal Government.

Analysts’ Grave Concerns: Deviation from Practical Issues

Political analysts have expressed profound concern over CM Afridi’s emotional and confrontational rhetoric. They argue that this approach distracts from pressing regional issues such as security, economic development and infrastructure. Analysts warned that “this type of rhetoric, focused on boycotts and threats, will ultimately damage Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” as it disregards the ground realities of the province, where terrorist attacks have increased in recent years.

A major point of conflict is KP’s financial dependence on the Federal Government. Over 90 percent of the provincial budget comes from Federal transfers under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. Analysts cautioned that strained relations could lead to delays or reductions in funding, creating significant challenges for essential services like health, education, and law enforcement agencies, potentially stalling development projects and worsening the situation of unemployment and poverty in the province.

Opposition’s Harsh Reaction: Accusations of Immaturity and Deception

Opposition parties, particularly the Awami National Party (ANP), harshly criticized the speech. ANP Central Spokesperson, Engineer Ehsanullah, accused the provincial government of prioritizing political drama over state responsibilities.

He claimed that the provincial government is attempting to increase pressure on the Federal Government while indirectly helping terrorists by diverting attention from anti-terrorism efforts. Ehsanullah highlighted the PTI leadership’s “political immaturity,” stating that “state affairs are not run this way.”

He asserted that the policy remains the same as during Gandapur’s tenure: deceiving the public with false promises of Imran Khan’s release from jail. He alleged that KP lagged significantly during the PTI’s time, despite receiving nearly 15 trillion rupees in Federal funds over the years, with no visible significant development. Ehsanullah warned: “Conflict with the Federation is not the solution to these issues. If they deliberately create a raw conflict, the Federal Government will take its own measures.”