Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has officially sworn in his 13-member provincial cabinet, marking a new phase in the province’s political setup. The ceremony took place at the Governor’s House in Peshawar, where Governor Faisal Karim Kundi administered the oath of office.
A New Cabinet Takes Charge
The newly appointed cabinet includes ten provincial ministers, two advisers, and one special assistant. The ministers who took oath were Meena Khan Afridi, Arshad Ayub Khan, Amjad Ali, Aftab Alam Afridi, Fazal Shakoor Khan, Khaleequr Rehman, Riaz Khan, Syed Fakhar Jehan, Aqibullah Khan, and Faisal Khan Tarakai.
Governor Kundi congratulated the new ministers and extended his best wishes, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and good governance.
Advisers and Special Assistant Announced
In addition to the ministers, Muzammil Aslam and Taj Muhammad have been appointed as advisers, while Shafi Jan will serve as the special assistant. Their inclusion completes the 13-member team expected to guide the province’s administrative and policy direction.
Challenges and Political Context
Chief Minister Afridi, who assumed office earlier this month, had earlier stated that he would finalize his cabinet after meeting imprisoned PTI founder Imran Khan. However, after several failed attempts, Imran Khan’s sister conveyed that Afridi had complete authority to form the provincial cabinet independently.
The formation of the cabinet comes after weeks of political criticism. Opposition lawmakers had voiced frustration over delays, claiming that the absence of a cabinet was halting governance and risking administrative paralysis in the province. Some even warned that the delay could trigger constitutional complications, potentially inviting emergency measures.
PTI’s Internal Criteria for Cabinet Members
Before the announcement, the ruling PTI’s provincial leadership emphasized appointing only individuals with clean records. They excluded anyone previously accused of corruption or misconduct. The final selection reflects CM Afridi’s attempt to balance political loyalty and public perception while ensuring stability in the province’s governance structure.
As the new cabinet assumes office, its performance will be closely watched. With the province facing administrative and economic challenges, Afridi’s team carries the responsibility of proving both its capability and integrity.
