In a potential major shake-up within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party is reportedly considering removing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur from his post. Party insiders claim that Sohail Afridi, the current KP Minister for Higher Education, is being considered as his possible replacement.

While PTI's senior leadership has not officially confirmed or denied the reports, speculation has intensified following a statement by Rai Suleman, the lawyer representing Bushra Bibi, wife of PTI founder Imran Khan. Suleman has confirmed the decision to remove Gandapur, lending weight to internal claims.

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However, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan denied having any formal knowledge of such a move, telling reporters,“I have not yet received any official information regarding the removal of Chief Minister Gandapur.”

Intra-Party Disputes at the Heart of the Shift

The developments come amid mounting internal rifts within the party. Recently, Gandapur publicly made allegations against Aleema Khan, the sister of Imran Khan. In response, Aleema also levelled accusations against Gandapur, a rare public clash that revealed growing factionalism within PTI's senior ranks.

Moreover, sources say Imran Khan has expressed dissatisfaction over both the handling of party affairs and the governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which could be a key factor driving the push for a change in leadership.

If confirmed, the appointment of Sohail Afridi may signal an attempt to restore internal cohesion and assert tighter control over the provincial administration ahead of critical political developments.

As of now, no official notification has been issued, and the situation remains fluid. However, political observers say that any leadership change in KP, a PTI stronghold, would carry significant implications for the party's future strategy.

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