A session of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has been convened for October 13 to elect the next chief minister, while Governor Faisal Karim Kundi confirmed receipt of Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation from the provincial top job on Saturday.
On Wednesday, Gandapur said he had resigned from his post as provincial chief executive, while party general secretary Salman Akram Raja confirmed that party founder Imran Khan had directed Sohail Afridi to take up the role of CM.
However, his resignation letter, which was shared with the media the night before, apparently got lost in the bureaucracy, and the Governor’s House denied receiving it.
“Today at 2:30 pm, CM Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s handwritten resignation advice was duly received and acknowledged by the Governor’s House,” Kundi posted on X.
“After thorough scrutiny and legal formalities according to the constitution [and] relevant laws, the subject’s resignation will be processed in due time,” he added.
‘PTI will eradicate terrorism under new KP leadership’
PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja said during a press conference today that under the leadership of incoming CM Sohail Afridi, the party will eradicate terrorism in KP.
“Any complaints that have recently arisen from the government will be resolved,” he said. “On Monday, Sohail Afridi to be sworn in as new KP PM”.
“Afridi will be the first CM from the tribal areas. He is young and determined,” Raja added. “This province will make great progress under your leadership. We hope that through diplomacy the bloodshed will end, so that we can eradicate terrorism in the region.”
The PTI general secretary also pointed out that as per Article 130 (8) (the Prime Minister may, by writing signed in his own handwriting addressed to the President, resign from office) of the Constitution, a Prime Minister can resign from his office and it does not require the acceptance or approval of the Governor.
Responding to a question on why no notification was issued regarding CM Gandapur’s resignation, Raja said the notifications “are for information only” and serve no purpose.
Meanwhile, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram in an interview on Geographic news program Naya Pakistan He reiterated Raja’s point about the constitution giving the CM freedom to resign from office.
“It is written in the constitution that if the governor accepts the resignation, then the house will elect its leader and the CM,” he said. “It is shameful that a local rivalry with the governor is being played like this.”
“He (CM Gandapur) wants his resignation to be accepted immediately so that Sohail Afridi, [PTI founder] Imran Khan’s choice for CM may sit in the seat. This cannot remain in the air.”
When asked to confirm whether there would be a session in the KP assembly on Monday, Akram replied in the affirmative.
“We have the numbers,” he said. “There is a clear majority if there are no setbacks.”
When asked if the PTI will consult with the federal government on an alternative candidate, the party spokesperson replied: “We do not have to consult with the government on who we nominate. It is the mandate of the PTI and Imran Khan. Did the government consult us about the possibility of inducting Maryam and Bugti as CM?”
“He (Afridi) has been a member of the cabinet for a year and a half. If he was a facilitator, why didn’t anyone say anything then?”
The PTI information secretary reiterated that the PTI is against terrorists, but believes that collateral damage in military operations could create an insurgency and make the population vengeful and vengeful.
“Khan sahib “It says we are against terrorism, but for the long-term benefit, the country cannot be plunged into insurgencies,” he said.
Earlier, Gandapur left for Dera Ismail Khan after bidding farewell to his staff at the prime minister’s house.
In his first interaction with the media after resigning, Gandapur had pushed for his resignation to be quickly accepted on Thursday evening. He said any delay in the process would be detrimental to the province.
