Asad Qaiser dismisses rumours of change in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser has rejected reports suggesting a change in the leadership of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, saying Chief Minister Sohail Afridi will remain in office.

Qaiser said there was no substance to speculation about replacing the chief minister and described such suggestions as unrealistic. He said changing the chief minister was not a routine matter that could be decided casually.

He said, "There is no truth in the news of any change in the chief minister. InshaAllah, Sohail Afridi will remain the chief minister."

Imran Khan cases and party strategy

Qaiser also commented on the cases against PTI founder Imran Khan, calling them politically driven and without basis. He said Imran had been imprisoned unjustly and described him as a prisoner of conscience facing hardship for the country.

Referring to Imran’s political stance, Qaiser said he had consistently spoken in favour of the supremacy of the Constitution, the law and Parliament.

On efforts for Imran’s release, Qaiser said the party was weighing all available options and indicated that PTI planned to start a movement. He said the party was in touch with both the courts and the public and would act on whatever decision it made.

He said, "We will launch a movement. We are in contact with the courts and the people. Whatever decision is taken, we will implement it."

At the same time, Qaiser denied that any backchannel engagement, deal or contact was underway with the government regarding Imran’s release, and said there were no formal negotiations taking place.

Charter of Democracy and election audit

Commenting on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent remarks in the National Assembly about a proposed Charter of Democracy, Qaiser said PTI supported the idea. According to him, the first point in such a charter should be the holding of fresh elections along with ensuring parliamentary supremacy.

He said, "We fully agree that there should be a Charter of Democracy."

Qaiser also said the country must have an Election Commission capable of conducting clean, transparent and fair elections.

On the prime minister’s proposal to audit the 2018 and 2024 elections, Qaiser said PTI accepted the offer and was prepared for an independent review by a credible commission or another forum trusted by all parties.

Internal reservations within PTI

Qaiser acknowledged that some party members were unhappy and said their concerns were genuine. He described them as PTI’s friends and workers, and said party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and provincial president Junaid Akbar had already met them.

He added that steps would be taken soon to address those reservations.