Sohail Afridi, who has been nominated as the new Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), hails from the Shalobar tribe of District Khyber. He was elected to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly for the first time in the 2024 general elections from PK-70 (District Khyber).

Afridi has long been associated with PTI's student wing and previously served as the President of the Insaf Students Federation (ISF) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for several years. His early political grooming within the party's grassroots structure is seen as a key part of his rise.

In the current provincial government, Sohail Afridi initially served as Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Communication and Works. Following a reshuffle in the KP cabinet, he was elevated to the position of Minister for Higher Education, a role he continues to hold. Additionally, he is a member of PTI's Central Executive Committee (CEC), indicating his growing influence in the party's internal policymaking.

Investigations Ongoing

Despite his growing stature within PTI, Afridi's nomination as Chief Minister comes at a time when multiple inquiries are pending against him. The FIA Cyber Crimes Wing in Peshawar, as well as the National Cyber Crime and Intelligence Agency (NCCIA), are currently investigating him for allegedly issuing provocative statements online against the government and state institutions.

No formal charges have been filed yet, but the inquiries remain active, a fact that may raise questions in the coming days about his ability to lead a province facing a volatile security and political climate.

Change of Guard Amid Rising Violence

The nomination was officially confirmed by PTI's Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, who stated that the worsening law and order situation in KP necessitated the leadership change.

“There has been an alarming surge in terrorism in the province, leading to the loss of precious lives,” Raja said while speaking to the media.“There was no option but to replace Ali Amin Gandapur. PTI Chairman Imran Khan believes Sohail Afridi's appointment marks a new beginning.”

Raja also noted that the federal government's flawed approach to Afghanistan and its impact on KP's security were factors behind the decision. He added that Afridi is expected to help the province navigate away from federal missteps and play a stronger role in protecting the people of KP.

The development was also confirmed by Rai Suleman, the lawyer of Bushra Bibi, who said that Gandapur had been officially removed from his position.

Meanwhile, Ali Amin Gandapur, the outgoing Chief Minister, responded via a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying,“The office of Chief Minister is a trust given to me by Imran Khan. I will step down whenever he asks me to.”

As the province grapples with rising terrorism and political instability, Sohail Afridi's leadership will be closely watched, not only for his policies and performance, but also for how he navigates the legal challenges currently hovering over him.

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