PTI's Sohail Afridi takes oath as KP CM

Peshawar (Web Desk): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Sohail Afridi took oath as Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KP) Chief Minister on Wednesday.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi administered the oath to the newly elected KP CM.

Afridi was elected as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s new chief executive on Monday during an assembly session overshadowed by the opposition’s walkout and the confusion surrounding the resignation of outgoing CM Ali Amin Gandapur.

On Tuesday, Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice S.M. Attique Shah had ruled Afridi’s election as constitutionally valid and directed Governor Faisal Karim Kundi to administer the oath by 4 pm on Tuesday.

The court further stated that if the governor failed to comply, the provincial assembly speaker would be authorized to conduct the ceremony the same day under Article 255(2) of the Constitution.

Soon after the ruling, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari directed Governor Kundi to act in accordance with the high court’s order and carry out his “constitutional and legal duty” by administering the oath to Afridi.

In response, Kundi’s spokesperson confirmed that the governor would preside over the ceremony, with arrangements being finalized at the Governor’s House.

Afridi’s election unfolded amid persistent uncertainty over Gandapur’s resignation. The outgoing CM, who belongs to the PTI and stepped down on the directive of party founder Imran Khan, had sent two resignation letters to Governor Kundi. Both were returned due to “variations in signatures,” adding to the confusion.

The PTI maintained that, under constitutional provisions, a chief minister’s resignation did not require the governor’s endorsement.

Citing this stance, the party moved forward with Afridi’s election in a session boycotted by opposition parties. Later that day, in a precautionary step, PTI also petitioned the PHC to ensure Afridi’s oath-taking proceeded without further delay.

Sohail Afridi, who belongs to Bara tehsil in Khyber district, entered provincial politics in 2015 and was elected as a member of the KP Assembly in the 2024 general elections. He earlier served as the provincial minister for higher education.

Sohail Afridi is widely recognized for his firm commitment to the party’s ideology and strong connection with its grassroots, maintaining his association with PTI since his time as a student.