ISLAMABAD: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur is likely to be removed from his post, according to sources.
According to sources, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has reportedly decided to replace KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur. Sohail Afridi is likely to take his place.
However, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar has denied any such development.
He said that Ali Amin Gandapur remains the Chief Minister and that such claims are part of a conspiracy to create internal divisions within the party.
He has said that such rumours are an attempt to divide the party.
Despite the party’s earlier statements, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has confirmed that the party has decided to remove Ali Amin Gandapur from his position and has nominated Sohail Afridi as the new Chief Minister.
He also stated that Imran Khan has personally asked Gandapur to resign from the post.
According to media reports, PTI insiders confirmed that the decision was based on recent instructions from Imran Khan, issued from jail to senior party leadership.
For some time, there have been internal reservations regarding Gandapur’s performance and certain administrative decisions, which reportedly led to this move.
Imran Khan is said to have directed the senior leadership to immediately remove Gandapur from the post of Chief Minister and initiate the process in the provincial assembly to elect Sohail Afridi as his replacement.
Who is Sohail Afridi?
Party sources describe Sohail Afridi as one of PTI’s relatively clean and efficient administrators in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He has previously held important administrative positions within the provincial government and is considered close to the party’s top leadership.
Imran Khan has reportedly expressed full confidence in him while approving his nomination.
However, there is an inquiry in progress against Sohail Afirdi in NCCIA. He cannot become CM.
FIA Cyber Crime Circle Peshawar has initiated the subject enquiry against him for publicly engaging in negative rhetoric online against the Bureaucracy and State Institutions.
Sohail Afridi Responds to Rumours
Education Minister KP Sohail Afridi has stated that the news circulating on social media regarding the removal of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur and the nomination of him as the new Chief Minister in his place is completely false and fabricated. All the news attributed to me is contrary to the facts.
Sohail Afridi stated that no decision has been made at the provincial government level to change the Chief Minister, adding, ‘we are and will remain trusted and loyal associates of Ali Amin Gandapur and Imran Khan.’
Possible Reasons for Gandapur’s Removal
Ali Amin Gandapur, who was appointed Chief Minister in March 2024, has recently faced criticism from within the party for deviating from party policy and making controversial statements.
Sources claim that issues related to governance, law and order, and administrative control in the province have raised serious concerns within PTI’s leadership.
Insiders further suggest that consultations and lobbying will soon begin within the provincial assembly to replace Gandapur and elect Sohail Afridi as the new leader of the house.
If the party secures the required majority, Afridi is expected to take the oath as the new Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to the reports.
Barrister Gohar Denies Making Any Statement
However, Barrister Gohar has taken to the social media platform X, previously Twitter, to deny making any statement.
He posted that, “I have not spoken to any media outlet that “news about change of CM KPK is fake or the it is conspiracy against the party”. This was clarified by ARY news that had aired the alleged news.”
This to clarify that I have not made any statement to the media about Ali Amin Gandapur. I have not spoken to any media outlet that “news about change of CM KPK is fake or the it is conspiracy against the party”. This was clarified by ARY news that had aired the alleged news. pic.twitter.com/nZDaDGzXfe
— Barrister Gohar Khan (@BarristerGohar) October 8, 2025
Ali Amin Gandapur Responds to Rumours
Ali Amin Gandapur’s reaction came to light after the news of the decision to remove him as the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur said that he has not been given any official information to leave the Chief Ministership yet.
‘The Chief Ministership is a trust of the party, and Imran Khan, I will leave it whenever they say,’ said Ali Amin Gandapur. He further added that when he is told to leave the Chief Ministership, he will comply.
He said that the meeting of leaders with the founder of PTI is ongoing in Adiala Jail, and after the meeting, the party leaders will clarify the situation.
Earlier, it was reported that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had decided to replace the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur.
