Afridi Takes Oath Following Court-Ordered Deadline
PTI MPA Sohail Afridi was officially sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday. The oath was administered by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi at the Governor’s House, following a directive from the Peshawar High Court (PHC). The court had instructed the governor to fulfil his constitutional duty and administer the oath by 4 PM, or allow the provincial assembly speaker to carry out the ceremony under Article 255(2) of the Constitution.
Footage from the ceremony showed large crowds surrounding Afridi and Kundi. During the event, Afridi also held up a portrait of PTI founder Imran Khan, reaffirming his loyalty to the party leadership.
Shortly after the oath-taking, PTI leader Asad Qaiser congratulated Afridi on X (formerly Twitter), expressing hope that the new CM would resolve key issues in the province and work toward the release of all innocent prisoners, including Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, and Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Upon his arrival at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Afridi was presented with a guard of honour by a police contingent, according to CM’s digital media focal person Yar Muhammad Khan Niazi.
Controversy Surrounds Gandapur’s Resignation
Afridi’s election came amid ongoing political uncertainty, particularly regarding the resignation of outgoing CM Ali Amin Gandapur, also a PTI leader. Gandapur had reportedly resigned on Imran Khan’s directive, but his two letters of resignation were returned by Governor Kundi due to inconsistencies in signatures.
Despite this, the PTI argued that a chief minister’s resignation does not require gubernatorial approval under the Constitution. The party proceeded to elect Afridi as the new CM during a provincial assembly session that was boycotted by the opposition. Anticipating resistance, PTI also approached the Peshawar High Court in advance to ensure that Afridi could be sworn in without delay.
Following the PHC’s ruling, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari urged Governor Kundi to return to KP and carry out his constitutional responsibility. The Governor’s Office later confirmed that arrangements were being made for the oath ceremony.
Afridi now takes charge of the province at a time of high political tension, as PTI pushes for the release of its imprisoned leaders and grapples with internal party dynamics. His leadership will be closely watched as KP faces a range of governance and security challenges.
