PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa political scene has become quite tense after the news of CM Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation and Sohail Afridi as his replacement. The opposition and cabinet have reacted to the news.
A senior official stated that KP Cabinet would hold a meeting today (Thursday) at 2 PM in the Civil Secretariat. The session would be presided over by outgoing Chief Minister, Ali Amin Gandapur and would be primarily devoted to the anticipated political realignment, party game plan and ministers’ line of action during the transition.
As the political scenario is unfolding, Opposition Leader Dr. Ibadullah Khan also reacted by convening the opposition parties’ meeting on Thursday, October 9.
According to reports, the opposition will review the current situation and frame a joint plan of action. Members have been asked to come with proposals and suggestions written on paper.
These moves precede the announcement made by PTI leadership that Sohail Afridi would be their new nominee for Chief Minister, instead of Gandapur. Nevertheless, legal objections and internal party disagreements have already been raised against the nomination of Afridi.
ALSO READ: Ali Amin Gandapur sends resignation to KP governor
Earlier, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur submitted his resignation to the governor late Wednesday night, stating that he is stepping down at the request of Imran Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
In his letter of resignation, a copy of which is available with Pakhtun Digital, Gandapur wrote, “In respectful compliance with the orders of my leader and Founding Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan, I am honoured to tender my resignation from the Office of Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“When I assumed office, the province faced a dual challenge of financial instability and the threat of terrorism. Over the past year and a half, with the support of my cabinet, party members, workers, and, most importantly, under the guidance of Imran Khan, we have steered the province toward financial stability and effectively addressed the issue of militancy with determination and decisive action,” Gandapur said in the letter, He said they initiated significant nation-building projects in a region that had been categorised as a war zone.
I would like to thank all my cabinet colleagues, members of the Assembly, both from PTI and the opposition, and all the officers in the KP bureaucracy who supported me in tackling the extraordinary challenges of governance in KP. While I may not be able to claim that I handled all challenges perfectly, I can say with absolute certainty that I served the people of KP with sincerity and always acted in the best interest of Pakistan.”
