- Sohail Afridi, Arbab Zarq of PPP, Sardar Jahan of PML-N and JUI-F’s Maulana Lutfur Rehman submits nomination papers
- KP Assembly to elect new provincial chief executive in Monday’s session
- PTI holds consultative meetings, seeks consensus for unopposed election
PESHAWAR: The race for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) new chief minister entered its final stage on Sunday as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Sohail Afridi and three opposition nominees from the PPP, PML-N and JUI-F formally submitted their nomination papers for Monday’s election, following the resignation of outgoing CM Ali Amin Gandapur earlier this week.
According to KP Assembly Secretary Syed Muhammad Mahir, the papers of all four candidates—PTI’s Sohail Afridi, Arbab Zarq of the PPP, Sardar Jahan of the PML-N, and Maulana Lutfur Rehman of the JUI-F—have been received and approved for contesting the chief minister’s election scheduled for tomorrow.
Afridi, a PTI MPA from Bara, was nominated by party founder Imran Khan after Gandapur stepped down amid growing concerns over terrorism in the province. A video shared by the PTI on X showed Afridi signing his nomination papers, with the caption confirming his candidacy.
Speaking to the media, Afridi dismissed allegations by federal ministers that he was in contact with proscribed organizations, saying, “The Centre has declared we are all banned groups, we are all terrorists, and they have filed all FIRs against us.”
PTI consults allies, seeks consensus
PTI KP President and MNA Junaid Akbar said a consultative session was held in the Speaker’s chambers to finalise election strategy and outreach to other parties. Afridi and senior PTI leaders attended the meeting.
Earlier in the day, a PTI delegation led by Junaid Akbar and including Sher Ali Arbab, Ali Khan Jadoon, Shaukat Yousafzai, Malik Adeel Iqbal, and Irfan Saleem visited the Awami National Party’s (ANP) Bacha Khan Markaz headquarters in Peshawar.
“A democratic process is going to take place tomorrow, for which we are contacting democratic people,” Junaid said. “The PTI has a numerical majority in KP. We want to elect Sohail Afridi unopposed to stop undemocratic characters.”
ANP KP President Mian Iftikhar Hussain responded that his party “will not be part of any unconstitutional or undemocratic process” and would consult its central leadership before making a decision.
The PTI delegation also met Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam, with Junaid stating they hoped for a joint decision “like in the past.” Muqam assured that he would consult the federal leadership “as per the traditions of the province” before responding.
Imran ordered change citing terrorism surge
Outgoing CM Ali Amin Gandapur resigned earlier this week after Imran Khan expressed serious concern over a rise in terrorist incidents in KP.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja confirmed Gandapur’s resignation, saying it was made on the party founder’s directives. “Khan sahib said there is no choice but to make the change in KP’s leadership due to the worsening terrorism situation,” Raja told reporters.
He noted that PTI still holds a “clear majority” in the KP Assembly, ensuring Afridi’s smooth election as chief minister.
