Serious doubts have surfaced over Imran Khan’s decision to nominate Sohail Afridi as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s new chief minister, with federal officials hinting at possible obstacles before the move materializes.
ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Oct,11, 2025) Serious doubts have emerged over the appointment of Sohail Afridi as the new Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, nominated by PTI founder Imran Khan.
A senior federal official hinted that Afridi’s nomination might face obstacles before being finalized, noting that the key factor is not the nomination itself but the votes cast during the chief minister’s election. The official also revealed that outgoing CM Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation has yet to reach the governor.
Afridi, reportedly a close ally of PTI leader Murad Saeed, is known for his aggressive political style. Khan is said to have chosen him to tackle the deteriorating security situation in KP independently rather than following federal or military counterterrorism strategies.
The move has sparked unease in political and security circles, being viewed as an escalation in Khan’s standoff with the military establishment. Federal ministers have expressed reservations about Afridi’s eligibility for the position.
Political analysts warn that this decision could destabilize the PTI government in KP and deepen the party’s challenges. Their concerns were reinforced by DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry’s recent press conference, which indirectly linked rising terrorism in KP to “political and criminal alliances.”
The DG ISPR criticized misleading political narratives and emphasized that certain elements had deliberately weakened governance and public welfare in KP while spreading disinformation to undermine counterterrorism efforts.
Observers believe Afridi’s nomination signals a growing political and security confrontation in the province, which is already facing a surge in militant attacks.
