Imran Khan directs leadership change in KP: Gandapur steps down, Afridi to take over

Ali Amin Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, resigned from his position, following a directive from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan. Gandapur announced his decision via a statement on his official Facebook account, stating that he was returning the "amaanat" (trust) of the chief ministership as per Imran Khan's instructions.

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja confirmed the leadership change, revealing that Imran Khan had personally ordered the replacement due to the deteriorating security situation in KP. Raja emphasized that the province was experiencing its worst wave of terrorism in recent years, with numerous incidents resulting in significant loss of life. He cited the recent attack in Orakzai as a catalyst for the decision.

Sohail Afridi, a first-time Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) from PK-70 in the merged Khyber district, has been nominated as Gandapur's successor. Afridi, a former president of the Insaf Students Federation (ISF) in KP, previously served as Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Communication and Works and was later appointed Provincial Minister for Higher Education.

PTI has been ruling Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since 2013, largely due to its promise of reforms, development projects, and anti-corruption measures. The party has traditionally enjoyed strong support in the province for focusing on education, health, and infrastructure while portraying itself as a party committed to transparency and good governance.

Gandapur's resignation marks a significant development in PTI's internal dynamics, reflecting the party's response to escalating security challenges in the province and its continued effort to maintain public confidence in governance.