(MENAFN) Pakistan’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered a change in leadership in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, replacing the sitting chief minister amid growing security challenges in the region.

The announcement was made by Salman Akram Raja, secretary general of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, following a meeting with the former premier at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

Ali Amin Gandapur, who assumed the post after PTI’s sweeping victory in the provincial elections in February last year, confirmed that he is stepping down. "The role of the chief minister was Imran Khan sahib’s amaanat (entrustment), and as per his order, I am returning his amaanat and submitting my resignation," Gandapur said in a brief social media statement.

The PTI also confirmed the development on its official account, writing: “Ali Amin Gandapur has resigned as per Imran Khan’s directive.”

Sohail Afridi, a young lawmaker representing the Khyber tribal district, has been nominated as the new chief minister. Gandapur stated that he would “fully” cooperate with and support his successor.

The leadership change follows recent tensions within the PTI after Gandapur accused Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, of attempting to seize control of the party “in connivance” with intelligence agencies — remarks that drew significant political attention.

Khan, who has been in prison since August 2023, is currently serving a 14-year sentence in a corruption case and faces multiple other charges, including terrorism and graft, which he has repeatedly dismissed as “sham.”

Speaking at a press briefing after meeting Khan, Raja explained that the decision stemmed from the deteriorating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “There is a worse terrorism situation in KP. There have been record incidents this year (…) the lives lost and martyrdoms so far, there is no example found of this,” he said.

He added that Khan was deeply troubled by the situation, noting, “(Imran) Khan sahib is very sad... Khan sahib said there is no choice for him now but to make the change.”

Pakistan’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered a change in leadership in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, replacing the sitting chief minister amid growing security challenges in the region.

The announcement was made by Salman Akram Raja, secretary general of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, following a meeting with the former premier at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

Ali Amin Gandapur, who assumed the post after PTI’s sweeping victory in the provincial elections in February last year, confirmed that he is stepping down. "The role of the chief minister was Imran Khan sahib’s amaanat (entrustment), and as per his order, I am returning his amaanat and submitting my resignation," Gandapur said in a brief social media statement.

The PTI also confirmed the development on its official account, writing: “Ali Amin Gandapur has resigned as per Imran Khan’s directive.”

Sohail Afridi, a young lawmaker representing the Khyber tribal district, has been nominated as the new chief minister. Gandapur stated that he would “fully” cooperate with and support his successor.

The leadership change follows recent tensions within the PTI after Gandapur accused Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, of attempting to seize control of the party “in connivance” with intelligence agencies — remarks that drew significant political attention.

Khan, who has been in prison since August 2023, is currently serving a 14-year sentence in a corruption case and faces multiple other charges, including terrorism and graft, which he has repeatedly dismissed as “sham.”

Speaking at a press briefing after meeting Khan, Raja explained that the decision stemmed from the deteriorating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “There is a worse terrorism situation in KP. There have been record incidents this year (…) the lives lost and martyrdoms so far, there is no example found of this,” he said.

He added that Khan was deeply troubled by the situation, noting, “(Imran) Khan sahib is very sad... Khan sahib said there is no choice for him now but to make the change.”

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