ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has confirmed that Ali Amin Gandapur has been removed from his position as Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Suhail Afridi has been appointed as his successor and is expected to take over the office shortly.
Raja stated that the decision was made by PTI founder Imran Khan, citing the worsening security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a key reason for the change. He highlighted that today in Orakzai, PTI personnel and officers were martyred, criticizing the provincial government for failing to distance itself from federal policy missteps.
Raja also addressed the handling of Afghan refugees, noting that their deportation was unnecessary, and criticized past foreign policy inaction. He stressed that ending terrorism requires dialogue and expressed confidence that Suhail Afridi would guide the provincial government effectively while safeguarding the lives and property of the people.
Confirming the transition, Raja said that Ali Amin Gandapur has been instructed by the PTI founder to resign, and it is in Gandapur’s best interest to relinquish the office. He added that the provincial assembly will formally elect Suhail Afridi as the new Chief Minister without complications.
Suhail Afridi hails from District Khyber and was elected for the first time from PK-70 to the Provincial Assembly. He has previously served as President of the Justice Students Federation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and was Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Communication and Works. Following the recent cabinet reshuffle, Afridi was appointed Minister for Higher Education.
Earlier, Gandapur had stated that he had not received any formal notification to leave the office but affirmed that he would step down when instructed, emphasizing that the Chief Minister’s position is a trust of the party and Imran Khan.
